Posterolateral Corner Injuries
What is the posterolateral corner? What does it do? And what happens when you injure it? Alex Dodds, knee consultant for The Cotswolds and Gloucestershire, explains.
What is the posterolateral corner?
For some considerable time, the posterolateral corner (PLC) “was referred to as the dark side of the knee*” because of the lack of understanding about its structure, function and treatment options.
In recent years, we have learnt far more about this complex area of ligaments and tendons which sits on the outside of the knee. The PLC is a stabiliser. If, for example, you’re quickly changing direction on the ski slope, hockey pitch or tennis court, it’s the PLC that will help prevent your joint from overextending.
How do PLC injuries occur?
Although it is possible to damage the PLC in isolation from other parts of the joint, more than two thirds of all PLC injuries occur in combination with damage elsewhere**, usually to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) or PCL (posterior cruciate ligament).
Often these will be sporting injuries, either caused by swift changes of direction or crunching tackles. Car accidents are another common cause, as are slips and falls, particularly on ice, when the knee joint may be forced into an unnatural position.
What are the symptoms of a PLC injury?
Because PLC injuries usually occur in conjunction with other damage, symptoms are often masked by the other injury (e.g. the ACL tear). However, where damage is purely to the posterolateral corner, patients that visit Alex’s Gloucestershire knee clinic may complain of:
- Pain, swelling and/or bruising in or around the knee
- A noticeable outward bowing of the knee when stood
- A feeling of instability, as though the knee may give way
- Tingling or numbness below the knee
How do you diagnose a PLC injury?
Visit Alex’s knee clinic for Cheltenham and Gloucester and he will carry out a physical examination. He may also use an MRI scan, which enables him to see damage to soft tissues like tendons and ligaments.
How do you treat a PLC injury?
Explore treatment options for your PLC injury at Alex Dodd’s Cheltenham knee injury clinic.
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Appointments
To make an appointment please either fill in the contact form and you will be called back by our secretary to arrange a convenient appointment time or get in touch directly.
Call Chrissie Holmyard 01242 246549 at Nuffield Health, Cheltenham.
