Posterior Surgical Approach to the Knee

• Main Authors: Scott C. Faucett, M.D., M.S., James Gannon, Jorge Chahla, M.D., Marcio B. Ferrari, M.D., Robert F. LaPrade, M.D., Ph.D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2017-04-01
• Series: Arthroscopy Techniques
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212628716301955

Posterior knee approaches are reliable techniques to address the treatment of various pathologies of the posterior region of the knee, including Baker cyst excision, tibial plateau fracture fixation, posterior cruciate ligament avulsions and inlay reconstructions, femoral condyle cartilage procedures, posterior meniscal repair and loose body removal among others. Surgery in the posterior knee region can be challenging because of the presence of neurovascular structures including the tibial nerve, popliteal artery and vein, and common peroneal nerve; thus, it is less commonly performed. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe the posteromedial approach to the knee, its anatomic considerations, and how to avoid complications related to the surgical approach.