The Role of Transverse Plane Malalignment in Posterolateral Corner Complex Injury
Abstract
The posterolateral corner (PLC) is a complex of ligaments and soft tissues in the knee that primarily constrain external tibial rotation. Neglecting PLC injury is a contributing factor in graft failure following cruciate ligament reconstruction. This emphasizes the importance of understanding PLC injury mechanisms, considering their disposition to multi-ligament tears. The PLC can be damaged by hyperextension. Tibial torsion, a twisting of the tibia longitudinally relative to the femur, offsets the transverse knee alignment, consequently altering the loading of soft tissues. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to determine if tibial torsion affects loading of PLC components during hyperextension, as an indication of an underlying injury pattern. A joint motion simulator was used to record flexion torque magnitudes following the sectioning of individual PLC components in cadaveric specimens. Tibial torsion affected the load distribution of PLC components.