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Arcuate sign

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Acute knee injury

x-ray

Best seen on the anterior projection is a small curvilinear calcific opacity immediately superior to the fibular styloid. The adjacent tibia is intact. 

Annotated

Diagram

Arrow points to the sliver of bone elevated from the head of the fibula. 

The posterolateral ligamentous complex of the knee includes:

  • arcuate ligament
  • fabellofibular ligament
  • popliteal fibular ligament
  • lateral collateral ligament
  • biceps femoris tendon

Case Discussion

The arcuate sign is an important finding, representing an avulsion fracture of the arcuate ligament complex. The importance of this injury is that if it is not diagnosed acutely, posterolateral instability may develop which is challenging to correct, and may result in failed cruciate ligament reconstruction.

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