Inferior Genicular Artery Research Articles

Blood Supply of the Knee Joint

The knee joint blood supply is derived from a rich anastomosis of the five major constant arteries, namely, the superior medial and lateral, the middle (posterior), and the inferior medial and lateral genicular arteries. Anastomosis also occurs with descending genicular arteries and the anterior tibial recurrent artery. These branches form anastomoses in and around the knee joint, while each major vessel was noted to provide the respective major blood supply to specific areas. The most obvious difference between vascularization of child and adult knees was the separation of vessels and relative avascularity of epiphyseal plate areas; such persisted until closure of the epiphyseal plate. The regions representing the seals of plate closure had less rich vascularization. A rich intraosseous blood supply was defined in the femoral and tibial condyles and the patella. Similarly, the adjacent and superficial soft tissues, including major ligaments and peripheral parts of the menisci, were richly vascularized. Areas of separated vascularization in children may have relevance to epiphyseal injury, growth deformity, Osgood-Schlatter disease, and hematogenous osteomyelitis. In adults, such information may be relevant to high tibial osteotomy, meniscus and cruciate ligament repair, and surgery utilizing the semitendinosus tendon, fascia lata, or patella tendon grafts.

Blood Supply to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Supporting Structures

The blood supply to the knee arises from a vascular plexus that surrounds the joint. The descending genicular artery, the medial and lateral inferior genicular arteries, the medial and lateral superior genicular arteries, the middle genicular artery, and the anterior and posterior tibial recurrent arteries contribute vessels that supply the various structures of the knee. The intra-articular soft tissues of the knee (the infrapatellar fat pad and synovium) mediate the blood supply to the cruciate ligaments, and preservation and utilization of these tissues should be considered when repair or reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament is being performed.

Popliteal aneurysm after lateral meniscectomy.

1. A case of traumatic aneurysm in the popliteal fossa after a lateral meniscectomy is described. 2. Relevant factors in the surgical anatomy of the inferior genicular artery are discussed. 3. The value and limitations of angiography of the popliteal artery are considered. 4. Treatment is governed by the degree of involvement of the popliteal artery. In the case described cure of the aneurysm was obtained by endo-aneurysmorrhaphy.