New ligament found in the human knee

A previously unknown ligament in the human knee has been discovered by two Belgian knee surgeons, with implications particularly for those who have anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears.

Some people who have successful ACL repair surgery and rehabilitation continue to experience episodes where the knee gives way during activity and now we know why.

Dr Steven Claes and Prof Johan Bellemans have identified the anterolateral ligament (ALL), which is present in 97% of all human knees. Pivot shift (the giving way of the knee in people with an ACL tear), is caused by an injury in the ALL ligament.

‪The research questions current medical thinking about serious ACL injuries and could signal a breakthrough in their treatment. Dr Claes and Prof Bellemans are now working on a surgical technique to correct ALL injuries.

‪The Anatomical Society praised the research as “very refreshing” and commended the researchers for reminding the medical world that, despite the emergence of advanced technology, our knowledge of the basic anatomy of the human body is not yet exhaustive.