Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A cadaveric model for ligamentum teres function: a pilot study

  • Hip
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

Despite the prevalence and clinical consequences of ligamentum teres pathology, its function is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to help define the role the ligamentum teres may have in hip joint stabilization and determine whether a ball and string model could be used to describe the function of the ligamentum teres.

Methods

Eight embalmed cadavers were dissected to remove all soft tissue from around the hip, leaving only the ligamentum teres intact. Available hip abduction, adduction, medial rotation, and lateral rotation range of motion were measured for three repeated trials. The position of the ligamentum teres in relation to the femoral head was recorded at the endpoint position of these movements.

Results

An endpoint position as limited by the ligamentum teres for abduction, medial rotation, and lateral rotation was identified at a mean of 73°(SD 11°), 64°(SD 11°), and 58°(SD 10°), respectively. Hip adduction was limited by bony contact and therefore was not measured. The ligamentum teres wrapped around the femoral head to prevent inferior, posterior, and anterior subluxation with abduction, medial rotation, and lateral rotation, respectively. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated no significant difference in endpoint position based on trial number for the three movements (n.s.).

Conclusion

The ligamentum teres consistently tightened to limit hip abduction, medial rotation, and lateral rotation. These results support a ball and string model for the femoral head and ligamentum teres. This information could be important for those with hip instability and ligamentum teres pathology.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bardakos NV, Villar RN (2009) The ligamentum teres of the adult hip. J Bone Joint Surg Br 91:8–15

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Botser IB, Martin DE, Stout CE, Domb BG (2011) Tears of the ligamentum teres: prevalence in hip arthroscopy using 2 classification systems. Am J Sports Med 39(Suppl):117S–125S

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Byrd JW, Jones KS (2001) Hip arthroscopy in athletes. Clin Sports Med 20:749–761

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Byrd JW, Jones KS (2004) Traumatic rupture of the ligamentum teres as a source of hip pain. Arthroscopy 20:385–391

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Cerezal L, Kassarjian A, Canga A et al (2010) Anatomy, biomechanics, imaging, and management of ligamentum teres injuries. Radiographics 30:1637–1651

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Delcamp DD, Klaaren HE, Pompe van Meerdervoort HF (1988) Traumatic avulsion of the ligamentum teres without dislocation of the hip. Two case reports. J Bone Joint Surg Am 70:933–935

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Demange M, Kakuda C, Pereira C, Sakaki M, Albuquerque R (2007) Influence of the femoral head ligament on hip mechanical function. Acta Ortop Bras 15:187–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Fuss FK, Bacher A (1991) New aspects of the morphology and function of the human hip joint ligaments. Am J Anat 192:1–13

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Gray AJ, Villar RN (1997) The ligamentum teres of the hip: an arthroscopic classification of its pathology. Arthroscopy 13:575–578

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Guanche CA, Sikka RS (2005) Acetabular labral tears with underlying chondromalacia: a possible association with high-level running. Arthroscopy 21:580–585

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Kivlan BR, Clemente FR, Martin RL, Martin HD (2012) Function of the ligamentum teres during multi-planar movement of the hip joint. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. doi:10.1007/s00167-012-2168-2

  12. Klingenstein GG, Martin R, Kivlan B, Kelly BT (2012) Hip injuries in the overhead athlete. Clin Orthop Relat Res 470:1579–1585

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Martin HD, Savage A, Braly BA, Palmer IJ, Beall DP, Kelly B (2008) The function of the hip capsular ligaments: a quantitative report. Arthroscopy 24:188–195

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Martin RL, Palmer I, Martin HD (2012) Ligamentum teres: a functional description and potential clinical relevance. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 20:1209–1214

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Philippon MJ (2001) The role of arthroscopic thermal capsulorrhaphy in the hip. Clin Sports Med 20:817–829

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Philippon MJ (2006) New frontiers in hip arthroscopy: the role of arthroscopic hip labral repair and capsulorrhaphy in the treatment of hip disorders. Instr Course Lect 55:309–316

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Rao J, Zhou YX, Villar RN (2001) Injury to the ligamentum teres. Mechanism, findings, and results of treatment. Clin Sports Med 20:791–799

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Shindle MK, Ranawat AS, Kelly BT (2006) Diagnosis and management of traumatic and atraumatic hip instability in the athletic patient. Clin Sports Med 25:309–326

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Therapy, Duquesne University, 114 Rangos School of Health Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, USA

    RobRoy L. Martin & F. Richard Clemente

  2. University of Pittsburgh Center for Sports Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    RobRoy L. Martin

  3. John G Rangos Sr School of Health Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Benjamin R. Kivlan

Authors
  1. RobRoy L. Martin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Benjamin R. Kivlan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. F. Richard Clemente
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to RobRoy L. Martin.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Martin, R.L., Kivlan, B.R. & Clemente, F.R. A cadaveric model for ligamentum teres function: a pilot study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 21, 1689–1693 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-2262-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-2262-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation