Editorial Commentary: Small Incisions Can Make Big Mistakes: Knee Lateral Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Is All About the Anatomy!

It is becoming increasingly recognized that isolated lateral collateral ligament (LCL) tears are more common than have been previously recognized and that anatomic-based LCL reconstructions have the best outcomes. Although it was believed that posterolateral corner injuries were often missed or mistreated and were given the pneumonic of "the dark side of the knee," we are getting to the point where most of these more severe injuries are being recognized, and it is the isolated LCL injuries that are still less well recognized. Failure to treat LCL tears at the same time as a cruciate ligament reconstruction is a well-known cause of both anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction graft failure. Therefore, either having the required clinical experience or knowledge, or using a radiographic backup method when one is not sure about the anatomic placement, is essential to correctly perform an LCL reconstruction.