Editorial Commentary: Don't Float Away-Medial Collateral Ligament and Medial Meniscus Will Protect Your Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction if You Respect Them.

Abstract

As the understanding of the intrinsic reliance of the anterior cruciate ligament on the medial collateral ligament (MCL) has grown, we have delved further into trying to understand what specific function needs to be restored in their combined injury. At the same time, we have expanded our knowledge of the relation between the MCL and the medial meniscus. It is a great step forward for our knowledge to begin to infer medial stability from the status of the medial meniscus in these complex cases. In my practice, this manifests as understanding that a floating meniscus indicates deep MCL injury, which makes me more likely to treat a moderate MCL injury operatively. I look forward to the continued understanding of the dynamic positioning of the medial meniscus and its treatment in combined anterior cruciate ligament-MCL injuries.