(Fig 3-B.17) Partial Popliteofibular Ligament Tear

https://youtu.be/9z_hs0scBT0

https://youtu.be/6WOItzqJj1g

 

📌The Popliteofibular Ligament

 

✅ Anatomy

• The popliteofibular ligament extends from the popliteus tendon near the myotendinous junction to the posteromedial aspect of the fibular styloid process, posteromedial to the biceps femoris tendon insertion.

• On coronal MRI images, the popliteofibular ligament can be identified just deep to the lateral geniculate vessels.
• Coronal images provide the best visualization of this ligament.

 

✅ Injury Patterns Avulsions

• Avulsions from the fibular styloid process can occur
• Partial Tears: Typically appear as increased intrasubstance or peritendinous signal intensity on MRI
• Complete Tears: In the setting of a ruptured popliteofibular ligament, surgical reconstruction is currently advocated to restore normal tibiofemoral stability and kinematics.

 

✅ Reporting Findings

• No imaging criteria to definitively diagnose posterolateral corner instability
• However, complete tears of the major stabilizers (popliteus tendon, popliteofibular ligament, and lateral collateral ligament) should be reported as suspicious for posterolateral instability, especially when : Two or more components are involved or There is a concomitant cruciate ligament injury

 

RadioGraphics 2016; 36:1776–1791

 

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