Transverse ligament and its effect on meniscal motion: Correlation of kinematic MR imaging and anatomic sections

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. To evaluate the effect of the transverse ligament on translation of the menisci. METHODS. Six cadaveric knees were examined by MR imaging inside a positioning device before and after transecting the transverse ligament. The knees were examined at various positions: extension, 30°of flexion, 60°of flexion, and full flexion. Sagittal T1-weighted spin-echo images were generated at each knee position and evaluated for statistical differences with regard to anterior-posterior meniscal excursion. RESULTS. Statistically significant differences in meniscal excursion were found before and after transsecting the transverse ligament for anterior-posterior meniscal motion of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus at 30°of knee flexion. No such significant differences were found, however, at 60°of flexion and full flexion in anterior-posterior meniscal excursion of the anterior or posterior horn of either meniscus before and after transsecting the transverse ligament. CONCLUSIONS. The transverse ligament has a restricting effect on anterior-posterior excursion of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus at lower degrees of knee flexion.