The posterolateral knee capsule is the primary containment structure of the posterolateral corner, reinforced by the arcuate ligament, LCL, popliteus, and popliteofibular ligament. Its contribution to posterolateral stability means that isolated capsular laxity from stretch injury can produce chronic posterolateral instability even when the discrete ligamentous structures appear intact on MRI.
| Location | Posterolateral corner of the knee, behind the lateral femoral condyle and lateral tibial condyle |
|---|---|
| Boundaries |
|
| Contents |
|
Encloses the posterolateral knee joint and, with the LCL, popliteus and popliteofibular ligament, resists external tibial rotation, varus and posterior translation.
The posterolateral capsule is assessed by the external rotation recurvatum test: with the patient supine the examiner lifts the great toe, and a positive test shows the knee recurvating with external tibial rotation, indicating posterolateral capsular laxity. Combined with the dial test, posterolateral capsular assessment guides surgical reconstruction planning. In complete PLC injuries the capsule is repaired or plicated alongside reconstruction of the LCL and popliteofibular ligament.
Posterolateral knee capsule attenuation producing external rotation recurvatum assessed by the ER recurvatum and dial tests.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
