The lateral meniscotibial ligament (lateral coronary ligament) is the short fibrous band connecting the periphery of the lateral meniscus to the lateral tibial plateau at its rim. It is part of the lateral capsular ligament and is less robust than the medial meniscotibial ligament because the lateral meniscus has greater mobility, especially posteriorly where it is not attached to the capsule in the popliteal hiatus region.
Anchors the lateral meniscus periphery to the tibial rim, limits excessive lateral meniscal excursion during knee motion, and contributes to the lateral compartment stability by transmitting tensile forces from the meniscus to the tibia.
The lateral meniscotibial ligament is disrupted in lateral meniscal tears that extend to the periphery and in posterolateral corner injuries. Its deficiency contributes to abnormal lateral meniscal mobility and the generation of clicking and locking symptoms. Repair of the lateral meniscotibial ligament during lateral meniscal surgery restores meniscal stability. The popliteal hiatus in the posterior lateral meniscotibial complex, where the popliteus tendon passes, represents a normal gap in the lateral meniscal attachment that must be distinguished from a true peripheral tear.
Tears at the lateral meniscotibial ligament junction produce a peripheral vertical tear associated with lateral compartment pain and hypermobility of the lateral meniscus, repaired arthroscopically using inside-out, outside-in, or all-inside suture techniques.
