The popliteofibular ligament connects the popliteus tendon directly to the fibular head, forming the most important ligamentous component of the posterolateral corner. It provides posterolateral knee stability by tethering the popliteus-fibula complex against external tibial rotation. The PFL is the primary structure reconstructed in anatomical PLC reconstruction using the fibular-based technique.
| Origin | Popliteus tendon (musculotendinous junction) |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Fibular head and fibular styloid |
| Actions | The primary posterolateral knee stabiliser — links the popliteus to the fibula to resist external tibial rotation and posterolateral translation |
|---|
The popliteofibular ligament's importance has been established by biomechanical studies showing it contributes more to external rotation stability than any other PLC structure. Isolated PFL reconstruction significantly reduces posterolateral instability. The Laprade PLC reconstruction technique specifically identifies and reconstructs the PFL as an independent component alongside the LCL and popliteus tendon.
Popliteofibular ligament reconstruction as the primary target of posterolateral corner surgery for external rotation instability.
