Abstract
The purpose of this study was to document the relationship between a discoid lateral meniscus and a thickened Wrisberg ligament with a higher location on the medial femoral condyle.
Between July 2002 and February 2006, 100 consecutive patients who had a complete lateral discoid meniscus and another 100 patients without a discoid lateral meniscus (control group) were included. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed all of the magnetic resonance images, paying particular attention to the presence and thickness of the Wrisberg ligament and the location of the attachment of the Wrisberg ligament to the medial femoral condyle (types I, II, or III). We assumed that type I Wrisberg ligaments had a higher location.
All 141 patients had a Wrisberg ligament (71%). There were 73 patients (73%) in the discoid group and 68 patients (68%) in the non-discoid group. The mean thickness of the Wrisberg ligament in the patients in the discoid and non-discoid groups was 2.1 mm (range, 0.4–4.7 mm; median, 2.1 mm) and 1.6 mm (range, 0.4–4.5 mm; median, 1.3 mm), respectively. The Wrisberg ligaments of the discoid group were thicker than the non-discoid group (p = 0.0002). The Wrisberg ligament was attached to the upper part of the medial femoral condyle in the discoid group more often than in the non-discoid group (p < 0.0001).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Yamamoto M, Hirohata K. Anatomical study on the menisco-femoral ligaments of the knee. Kobe J Med Sci 1991; 37: 209–226.
Heller L, Langman J. The menisco-femoral ligaments of the human knee. J Bone Jt Surg Br 1964; 46: 307–313.
Poynton AR, Javadpour SM, Finegan PJ, O, Brien M. The meniscofemoral ligaments of the knee. J Bone Jt Surg Br 1997; 79: 327–330.
de Abreu MR, Chung CB, Trudell D, Resnick D. Meniscofemoral ligaments: patterns of tears and pseudotears of the menisci using cadaveric and clinical material. Skelet Radiol 2007; 36: 729–735.
Cho JM, Suh JS, Na JB, et al. Variations in meniscofemoral ligaments at anatomical study and MR imaging. Skelet Radiol 1999; 28: 189–195.
Kusayama T, Harner CD, Carlin GJ, Xerogeanes JW, Smith BA. Anatomical and biomechanical characteristics of human meniscofemoral ligaments. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 1994; 2: 234–237.
Kohn D, Moreno B. Meniscus insertion anatomy as a basis for meniscus replacement: a morphological cadaveric study. Arthroscopy 1995; 11: 96–103.
Lahlaidi A, Vaclavek J. The posterior menisco-femoral ligaments and their significance in organogenesis. Bull Assoc Anat (Nancy) 1975; 59: 177–183.
Girgis FG, Marshall JL, Monajem A (1975) The cruciate ligaments of the knee joint. Anatomical, functional and experimental analysis. Clin Orthop Relat Res Jan–Feb: 216–231.
Watanabe AT, Carter BC, Teitelbaum GP, Bradley WG Jr. Common pitfalls in magnetic resonance imaging of the knee. J Bone Jt Surg Am 1989; 71: 857–862.
Smillie IS. The congenital discoid meniscus. J Bone Jt Surg Br 1948; 30-B: 671–682.
Fleissner PR, Eilert RE. Discoid lateral meniscus. Am J Knee Surg 1999; 12: 125–131.
Kaplan EB. The embryology of the menisci of the knee joint. Bull Hosp Joint Dis 1955; 16: 111–124.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kim, E.Y., Choi, SH., Ahn, J.H. et al. Atypically thick and high location of the Wrisberg ligament in patients with a complete lateral discoid meniscus. Skeletal Radiol 37, 827–833 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-008-0524-6
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-008-0524-6