The function and importance of the anterior intermeniscal ligament (AIML) of the knee
are not fully known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical and
sensorimotor function of the AIML. Computational analysis was used to assess AIML
and tibiomeniscofemoral biomechanics under combined translational and rotational loading
applied during dynamic knee flexion–extension. Histologic and immunohistochemical
examination was used to identify and characterize neural elements in the tissue. The
computational models were created from anatomy and passive motion of two female subjects
and histologic examinations were conducted on AIMLs retrieved from 10 fresh-frozen
cadaveric knees. It was found that AIML strain increased with compressive knee loading
and that external rotation of the tibia unloads the AIML, suppressing the relationship
between AIML strain and compressive knee loads. Extensive neural elements were located
throughout the AIML tissue and these elements were distributed across the three AIML
anatomical types. The AIMLs have a beneficial influence on knee biomechanics with
decreased meniscal load sharing with AIML loss. The AIML plays a significant biomechanical
and neurologic role in the sensorimotor functions of the knee. The major role for
the AIML may primarily involve its neurologic function.
Keywords
knee - meniscus - anterior intermeniscal ligament - biomechanics - sensorimotor
