Arthroscopic appearances of the meniscofemoral ligaments: introducing the “meniscal tug test”

Abstract

To evaluate the feasibility of identifying the anterior and posterior meniscofemoral ligaments (aMFL and pMFL, respectively) at arthroscopy, both visually and using the “meniscal tug test”, which exploits the anatomical attachments of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and MFLs. This is an observational type of study. Arthroscopy using anteromedial and anterolateral portals was performed in 68 knees in 68 patients (36 right, 32 left). The MFLs were identified using several anatomical cues, including their femoral and meniscal attachments, their obliquity relative to the PCL, and the meniscal tug test. Identification was classed as easy or hard by the operating surgeon. From 68 knees, the aMFL was seen and confirmed to be an MFL using the tug test in 60 (88%). Identification of the aMFL was classed as easy in 64 (94%), whilst the pMFL was easy to identify in only 6 (9%) of knees, of which 3 had a ruptured PCL. Thus, with the exception of PCL-deficient knees, it was felt that the meniscal “tug test” as applied in this study was not suitable for the pMFL. The study shows that identification of the aMFL is possible in most knees at arthroscopy, using the “tug test” and other anatomical cues. However, identification of the pMFL may require a posterior portal. A subgroup of PCL injuries in which the MFLs were intact was also observed. The “meniscal tug test” can be used in arthroscopic examinations of the PCL to distinguish between fibres of the true PCL from the MFLs, thus avoiding the misdiagnosis of partial versus complete PCL rupture. This will also aid studies examining the role of the MFLs in stabilising the PCL-deficient knee.