Defining surgical relevant anatomic landmarks can be particularly difficult at the time of surgery. The following slides provide an outline of definable landmarks based upon our studies that have proven to be very useful to residents, fellows, and surgeons in surgery. The slides outline the primary anatomic landmarks for MCL surgery, posterolateral (PLC) knee surgery and PCL reconstructions. As many of our colleagues have done, these slides can also be printed and laminated and taped to the walls in one’s surgery center to serve as landmarks for a safe and efficient surgery.

1. Bony Attachments
(LaPrade, JBJS, 2007)
Medial Epicondyle (ME)
Adductor Tubercle (AT)
Gastrocnemius Tubercle (GT)
Courtesy of Dr. LaPrade

2. sMCL + POL Bony Attachments
(LaPrade, JBJS, 2007)
sMCL (femur)
3.2 mm proximal + 4.8 mm posterior to ME
sMCL (proximal tibia)
12 mm distal to joint space
sMCL distal tibia
60 mm distal to joint space
POL (femur)
7.7 mm distal + 6.4
mm posterior to AT
or
1.4 mm distal + 2.9
mm anterior to GT
POL (tibia)
Central arm on the
semimembranosus
Courtesy of Dr. LaPrade

3. PLC bony attachment
Fibular Collateral Ligament
FCL = 1o Varus stabilizer
Femoral attachment:
1.4 mm Proximal + 3.1 mm
posterior to lateral epicondyle
Fibula insertion:
Anterior lateral on the fibula
head
(8.2 mm post to the ant
margin of the fibular head
28.4 mm distal to the tip of
the fibular styloid)
Popliteus Tendon
PLT = 1o rotational stabilizer
Femoral attachment:
Average 18.5 mm anterior of the
FCL attachment at 70 degree flexion
Tibial attachment:
Posterior on the tibia
Courtesy of Dr. LaPrade

4. PCL Landmarks
ALB:
Between trochlear point and medial arch point
PCL:
Locate at bundle ridge
PMB:
Centered 8-9 mm posterior to edge of MFC articular cartilage
On wall anterior edge 5.8 mm from cartilage 2-4 mm bone-bridge between
ALB & PMB12.1 mm
Courtesy of Dr. LaPrade
Courtesy of Dr. LaPrade

5. Meniscus Root
Posterior Lateral Root:
Approx. 9 mmm posterior to MTE
Approx. 8 mm anterior-lateral to PCL
Posterior Medial Root:
Approx. 4 mm lateral to LTE
Approx. 10 mm anterior to PCL
Courtesy of Dr. LaPrade