Incidence of the Anterior Meniscofemoral Ligament: An Arthroscopic Study in Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Deficient Knees

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to arthroscopically determine the incidence of the anterior meniscofemoral ligament of Humphry in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)–deficient knees. Methods: One hundred forty knees were prospectively evaluated during arthroscopic ACL reconstruction procedures. The mean patient age was 30 years (range, 16 to 45 years), and there were 93 male and 47 female patients. In 69 patients, the right knee was evaluated, and in 71, the left. Inclusion criteria were skeletally mature patients aged under 45 years with isolated ACL injuries. Exclusion criteria were degenerative articular changes, external meniscus injuries, insufficiencies of ligaments other than the ACL, and previous knee surgery. Results: The anterior meniscofemoral ligament of Humphry was present in all of the knees evaluated. Conclusions: It has been proposed that traumatic and degenerative changes may explain the variation of the reported incidence of the meniscofemoral ligament. In our study in young patients with no degenerative changes, no meniscal injuries or surgery, and no ligament disruption except from the ACL, the anterior meniscofemoral ligament presented as a constant structure. Clinical Relevance: Given the high incidence of the appearance of the anterior meniscofemoral ligament, this structure should be preserved during meniscus and ligament surgeries at least until its function and clinical relevance are determined.

Key Words: Meniscofemoral, Ligament, Lateral meniscus, Anatomy, Knee