The Anatomical Numerical Measurement of Posterior Cruciate Ligament: A Vietnamese Cadaveric Study

Do Van Minh; Tran Trung Dung; Ngo Van Toan; Nguyen Huy Phuong; Vo Sy Quyen Nang; Thien Chu Dinh

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.835

The Anatomical Numerical Measurement of Posterior Cruciate Ligament: A Vietnamese Cadaveric Study

Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019 Dec 20;7(24):4357-4361. doi: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.835. eCollection 2019 Dec 30.

Authors

Do Van Minh^{1

2}, Tran Trung Dung^{1

3}, Ngo Van Toan⁴, Nguyen Huy Phuong^{1

2}, Vo Sy Quyen Nang², Thien Chu Dinh⁵

Affiliations

¹ Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
² Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.
³ Saint Paul University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.
⁴ Viet Duc University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.
⁵ Institute for Research and Development, Duy Tan University, 03 Quang Trung, Danang, Vietnam.

Abstract

Background: The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is crucial to restrain the posterior translation of the tibia. Its anatomical structure is complex. A proper understanding of PCL anatomy may assist surgeon in reconstructing anatomically native PCL.

Aim: To describe the anatomical numerical measurement of the PCL in Vietnamese adults.

Methods: Twenty-one fresh cadaveric knees were examined. The macroscopic details of the intra-articular PCL, the attachment of the anterolateral bundle (ALB), posteromedial bundles (PMB) to the femur and tibia were analysed. We used a digital camera to photograph the cadaveric specimens and used the ImageJ software to analyse the collected images.

Results: The ALB and PMB length were 35.5 ± 2.78 and 32.6 ± 2.28 mm, respectively. The smallest and the biggest diameter of middle third of the PCL were 5.9 ± 0.71 and 10.0 ± 1.39 mm, respectively. The area of cross section of middle third of the PCL was 53.6 ± 12.37 mm². The femoral insertion area of ALB and PMB were 88.4 ± 16.89 and 43.5 ± 8.83 mm², respectively. The distance from the central point of femoral ALB, PMB, and total PCL insertion to the Blumensaat line were 5.5 ± 0.91, 11.5 ± 1.98, and 7.6 ± 1.42 mm, respectively. The shortest distance from medial femoral cartilage rim to the central point of femoral ALB, PMB, and total PCL insertion were 7.0 ± 0.79, 7.3 ± 0.95, and 7.8 ± 1.73 mm, respectively. The tibial insertion area of ALB and PMB were 84.5 ± 12.52 and 47.8 ± 6.20 mm² respectively. The shortest distance from the posterior cartilage corner of the medial tibial plateau to the central point of ALB, PMB, and total PCL insertion to tibia were 8.5 ± 1.02, 9.4 ± 1.11, and 8.3 ± 1.1 mm, respectively. The central point of tibial PCL insertion was 9.7±1.08 mm below cartilage plane of the medial tibial plateau.

Conclusion: This study describes the detailed anatomical measurement of the PCL and its bundles in adults.

Keywords: Anatomy; Femoral footprint; Intra-articular posterior cruciate ligament; Knee; Posterior cruciate ligament; Tibial footprint.