Meniscoligamentous band between the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus and the anterior cruciate ligament: arthroscopic, anatomical and histological observations

Following the example of the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, the success of meniscus allograft transplantation relies on good position of the graft and firm anchorage. The anatomy of the intercondylar region and the connections between the cruciate ligament and the meniscal horns have been the subject of many surveys. However, as far as we know, there is only one description of meniscoligamentous band between the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus (PHLM) and the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) (Lahla < di in Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot 57(8):593-600, 1971). Fourteen cadaveric knees have been dissected to study the presence and variations of the band between the PHLM and the ACL. In addition, we undertook a histological study to ensure its ligamentous nature. This meniscoligamentous band was found 13 times amongst the 14 investigated knees, and its ligamentous intra-articular extra-synovial nature was proved. This study helps us to better understand the biomechanics of the menisci that are both stable and mobile structures.