The posterior meniscofemoral ligaments consist of the ligament of Humphrey (anterior to PCL, present in 70% of knees) and the ligament of Wrisberg (posterior to PCL, present in 100% of knees). Both connect the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to the medial femoral condyle, running obliquely through the posterior intercondylar notch. The ligament of Wrisberg is typically larger and is the primary posterolateral meniscus stabiliser in addition to the popliteomeniscal fascicles.
Tether the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to the medial femoral condyle, limiting anterior translation of the posterior horn during knee extension and external tibial rotation; Wrisberg variant discoid lateral meniscus lacks the normal posterior capsular attachments and relies excessively on this ligament, producing the classic discoid click.
The Wrisberg-type discoid lateral meniscus is the symptomatic variant: the posterior horn has no normal capsular coronary attachment and is stabilised only by the abnormally prominent ligament of Wrisberg, producing an unstable posterior horn that subluxes with knee motion causing the classic discoid snap. Surgical management of Wrisberg-type discoid involves saucerisation plus posterior horn peripheral repair to restore the normal capsular attachment. In PCL reconstruction anatomy, the meniscofemoral ligaments pass alongside the PCL and must be identified to avoid mistaking them for the PCL stump.
The Wrisberg type discoid lacks the normal posterior capsular coronary ligament attachment and relies excessively on the ligament of Wrisberg for posterior horn stability, producing a unstable posterior horn that subluxes with a loud palpable clunk during knee flexion-extension; arthroscopic saucerisation reduces the meniscal bulk and posterior horn repair to the capsule restores the missing coronary attachment.
