Ultrastructural assessment of the anterolateral ligament
Background: The anterolateral ligament (ALL) has been identified as a structure on the lateral side of the knee, but debate exists regarding whether it is a capsular thickening or a ligament. Hypothesis: A detailed ultrastructural characterization of the ALL and its ultrastructure collagen arrangement will reveal it more closely resembles ligamentous tissue than joint capsule. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Eight paired knee samples from 4 fresh-frozen male cadavers were used for this study.