Fiber orientation of posterior cruciate ligament: an experimental morphological and functional study, Part 2

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) can be anatomically divided into three bundles: anterolateral, posteromedial, and posterior oblique. The changes in distance between the femoral and tibial attachment sites of these three bundles were measured in 10 human knee specimens with intact ligamental structures. The femoral to tibial distance (and thus the length) of the posterior oblique bundle remained nearly the same throughout flexion between 0 degrees and 90 degrees. The femoral to tibial distance of the anterolateral and the posteromedial bundles distinctly changed throughout the same range of motion. For a truly functional replacement of the PCL, correct isometric placement of the transplant is especially important. Based on the results of the present study, an isometric reconstruction of the PCL is achieved by positioning the graft within the original attachment site of the posterior oblique bundle.