Influence and Clinical Significance of Knee Flexion Angle on the Anatomic Course of the Common Peroneal Nerve in the Posterolateral Corner of the Knee Joint.

BACKGROUND: Detailed knowledge of the anatomic course of the common peroneal nerve (CPN) is crucial for the surgical treatment of the posterolateral corner (PLC) of the knee.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship of the CPN to the PLC of the knee at different flexion angles.

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study.

METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers were recruited to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee joint at knee flexion angles of 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120°. MRI scans at 3 levels (joint line, tibial cut, and fibular tip) were evaluated to determine (1) the distance from the CPN to the PLC and (2) the distances between the CPN and the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral tibial axes. A 3-dimensional model of the knee joint created from MRI scans of a single participant was used to simulate the creation of a fibular tunnel for PLC reconstruction and investigate the relationship between the CPN, fibular tunnel, and guide pin.

RESULTS: The CPN moved posteromedially with increased knee flexion angles. As the flexion angle increased, the distances from the CPN to the anterior-posterior axis and the PLC increased significantly, while the distance to the medial-lateral axis decreased significantly at all 3 measurement levels. The distances between the CPN and anterior-posterior and medial-lateral axes were significantly different among the different knee flexion angles at the different measurement levels. There were no significant differences in the mean distance from the CPN to the posterolateral border of the tibial plateau between 0° and 30° of flexion at the fibular tip level ( P = .953). There were statistically significant differences in the distance from the CPN to the PLC of the tibial plateau at the different measurement levels. The 3-dimensional model demonstrated that the position of the CPN relative to the guide pin and the bone tunnel undergoes changes during knee flexion.

CONCLUSION: Changes in the knee flexion angle produced corresponding changes in the course of the CPN on the posterolateral aspect of the knee joint. The CPN moved posteromedially with increased knee flexion angles.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increasing the knee flexion angle during PLC reconstruction can effectively avoid direct injury of the CPN.