Innervation of the distal part of the vastus medialis muscle is endangered by splitting its muscle fibers during total knee replacement: an anatomical study using modified Sihler’s technique

Authors

  • Bettina Pretterklieber Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna
  • Alfred Ungersböck Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Federal Hospital Neunkirchen, Neunkirchen, Austria
  • Michael L Pretterklieber Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1080/17453674.2020.1851459

Abstract

Background and purpose — The distal part of the vastus medialis muscle is an important stabilizer for the patella. Thus, knowledge of the intramuscular nerve course and branching pattern is important to estimate whether the muscle’s innervation is at risk if splitting the muscle. We determined the intramuscular course of the nerve branches supplying the distal part of the vastus medialis muscle to identify the surgical approach that best preserves its innervation.

Material and methods — 8 vastus medialis muscles from embalmed anatomic specimens underwent Sihler’s procedure to make soft tissue translucent while staining the nerves to study their intramuscular course. After dissection under transillumination using magnification glasses all nerve branches were evaluated.

Results — The terminal nerve branches were located in different layers of the muscle and ran mostly parallel but also transverse to the muscle fibers. In half of the cases, the latter formed 1 to 3 anastomoses and coursed close to the myotendinous junction. Additionally, most of the branches extended into the ventromedial part of the knee joint capsule.

Interpretation — To preserve the innervation of the distal part of the vastus medialis muscle, any split of the muscle during surgical approaches to the knee joint should be avoided.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2020-11-24

How to Cite

Pretterklieber, B., Ungersböck, A., & Pretterklieber, M. L. (2020). Innervation of the distal part of the vastus medialis muscle is endangered by splitting its muscle fibers during total knee replacement: an anatomical study using modified Sihler’s technique. Acta Orthopaedica, 92(2), 194–198. https://doi.org/10.1080/17453674.2020.1851459