Blood supply to the anterior cruciate ligament and supporting structures

Abstract

The blood supply to the knee arises from a vascular plexus that surrounds the joint. The descending genicular artery, the medial and lateral inferior genicular arteries, the medial and lateral superior genicular arteries, the middle genicular artery, and the anterior and posterior tibial recurrent arteries contribute vessels that supply the various structures of the knee. The intra-articular soft tissues of the knee (the infrapatellar fat pad and synovium) mediate the blood supply to the cruciate ligaments, and preservation and utilization of these tissues should be considered when repair or reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament is being performed.