Mechanoreceptors of the posterior cruciate ligament

Abstract

The mechanical role of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments in the passive and functional stability of the knee joint has been well documented. Both these knee joint ligaments contain Ruffini, Pacinian, Golgi and free nerve endings with different capabilities of providing the central nervous system with information regarding movement and position as well as chemical events. The posterior cruciate ligament provides 95% of the restraining force to a posterior tibial displacement, is significantly stronger than the other knee ligaments, and sensory nerve endings are located in the tibia and femoral bone insertions. This report aims to review the anatomy and physiology of the various mechanoreceptors of the posterior cruciate ligament, placing special emphasis on their role in knee joint stability. It concludes that the posterior crude ligament may not only serve as a 'mechanical stabilizer' of the knee joint, but also probably has an important 'sensory function' that should be taken into account when dealing with injuries to it.