Abstract
Background
The iliotibial band together with its attachment to the distal femur, known eponymously
as the Kaplan fibers, has been shown to contribute to anterolateral rotatory stability
of the knee. However, there remains paucity of data regarding the detailed anatomy
of the Kaplan fibers to aid us in anatomical-based surgical reconstruction of these
structures. The aim of our study was to identify and compare the presence and quantitative
anatomy of the Kaplan fibers in Caucasian and Asian cadavers.
Methods
Twenty paired fresh-frozen Asian and 20 unpaired embalmed Caucasian cadaveric knees
were dissected using a standard outside–in technique. The presence, qualitative and
quantitative measurements of any distal femoral attachments of the iliotibial band
were recorded. Mean values of its dimensions were calculated and compared between
the Caucasian and Asian groups.
Results
A consistent supracondylar attachment of the iliotibial band was found in all Caucasian
knees and in 19 of 20 Asian knees. The fibers were noted to have two variations with
regard to their insertion to the distal femur, either as a single limb or as a double
limb attachment, averaging between 30 mm and 40 mm from the lateral femoral epicondyle.
No statistically significant difference was noted in dimensions of the fibers between
the Caucasian and Asian groups.
Conclusions
The Kaplan fibers are a consistent attachment of the iliotibial band at the distal
femur in both Caucasian and Asian knees with two different patterns of insertion.
Surgical reconstructions should aim to recreate these attachments to be as anatomically
based as possible.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 02, 2022
Accepted:
July 15,
2022
Received in revised form:
June 7,
2022
Received:
December 14,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
