Anatomy of the medial and posteromedial aspect of the knee.

Abstract

Medial side knee injury has become synonymous with injury to the superficial medial ligament, with a lack of appreciation and understanding of the other structures involved. With modern MRI technology, the major anatomical structures that make up the posteromedial complex (CPM) can be easily identified. Recent anatomical and biomechanical studies have expanded our understanding of these medial structures and their contribution to static and dynamic knee stability, including their supportive role in multiligamentous knee injuries. It is now recognized that anteromedial rotational instability is the result of injury to both the superficial medial ligament and the posterior oblique ligament. Objective: to describe the surgical anatomy elements of the medial and posteromedial aspect of the knee.

A descriptive study was carried out on 8 anatomical pieces of healthy knees, from the Department of Normal Anatomy, classic dissection by planes, describing the medial elements first and then the posterointernal elements.

The medial elements were found in three layers, from superficial to deep. Layer I consists of the deep fascia, layer II consists of the Superficial Medial Ligament, and layer III consists of the joint capsule and the deep medial ligament. After these structures we find the components of the posteromedial angle, these are five main components: the posterior oblique ligament, the semimembranosus tendon and its expansions, the oblique popliteal ligament, the posteromedial joint capsule and the posterior horn of the medial meniscus.

The study of this region of the knee shows that knee injury on the medial side is not synonymous with injury to the superficial medial ligament, appreciating and understanding the other structures involved, which is vital when making an accurate diagnosis for therapeutic suitable with optimal results.