Skip to main content

Posterolateral Capsular Tear, Sports Medicine

James M. Daniels, MD, MPH, RMSK, FAAFP, FACOEM, FACPM, Cesar Arguelles, MD, CAQSM and Johnny Tenegra, MD, MS Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • The posterolateral corner (PLC) was once referred to as “the dark side of the knee” due to the limited understanding of the structures and how to treat them 1.

  • An isolated injury of P...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Not as common in pediatric or geriatric population

  • Any injury that may hyperextend, externally rotate, or force the tibia into varus angle can injure the PLC 1[A].

  • A posterolateral blow...

TREATMENT

  • Because an isolated injury of the PLC is extremely rare and most PLC injuries are associated with multiple ligament injuries to the knee, some authors, including our faculty, promote treatin...

ONGOING CARE

COMPLICATIONS

  • Fibular nerve injury

  • Vascular injury

  • Physical injury

  • Multiple ligament injury

  • If ACL or PCL is repaired and PLC injury is missed, early arthritis and graft failure occur.

  • Arthrofi...

REFERENCES

1
Chahla J, Moatshe G, Dean CS, et al. Posterolateral corner of the knee: current concepts. Arch Bone Jt Surg.  2016;4(2):97–103.
2
Pacheco RJ, Ayre CA, Bollen Sr. Posterolateral corner i...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Geiger D, Chang E, Pathria M, et al. Posterolateral and posteromedial corner injuries of the knee. Radiol Clin North Am.  2013;51(3):413–432.

  • Sekiya JK, Swaringen JC, Wojtys EM,...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • PLC injuries are often associated with other ligament injuries.

  • Always perform a neurovascular check:

    • Foot dorsiflexion

    • Palpate dorsalis pedis pulse.

    • Posterior tibial pulse

  • Look for Segond ...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

×