Editorial Commentary: Anatomy of the Anterolateral Ligament of the Knee-The Science of Looking for Bigfoot

Abstract

The anterolateral ligament of the knee continues to create a spirited debate within orthopaedics. This can be traced as far back as 1879, when Segond initially described a "pearly, resistant, fibrous band" of the anterolateral aspect of the knee. More recently, much orthopaedic research has been aimed at not only the clinical significance-but defining its very existence. At times, it seems akin to a modern-day search for Bigfoot-some see it, some do not. The authors of this commentary are becoming less skeptical of the anterolateral ligament's existence but remain in search of its surgical significance.