Unveiling the sensory architecture of the medial collateral ligament epiligament: A morphological study with clinical relevance
This investigation is the first to document the presence of Meissner's corpuscles within the epiligament of the MCL, thereby expanding our understanding of ligament mechanoreception. These findings underscore the pivotal role of the epiligament in mediating mechanoreception, nociception, proprioception, and blood flow regulation, and highlight its potential impact on ligament regeneration and post-surgical outcomes. Overall, our study advances the current knowledge of MCL innervation and lays the groundwork for future research into its therapeutic implications in knee joint biomechanics and ligament healing.
Authors
- Nikola Stamenov (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0169-9960)
- Pavel Rashev
- Joe Iwanaga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8502-7952)
- Julian Ananiev (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4465-0908)
- Svetoslav A. Slavchev (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4280-0017)
- Richard Shane Tubbs (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1317-1047)
- Boycho Landzhov (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6062-6441)
- Maria Piagkou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4831-8005)
- Lyubomir Gaydarski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4774-6507)
- Georgi P. Georgiev (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8343-0337)
Institutions
- Tulane University (US)
- Trakia University (BG)
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (GR)
- Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BG)
- Queen Giovanna Hospital (BG)
- Medical University of Sofia (BG)
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction (BG)
Publication Details
- Journal
- The Knee
- Published
- 2025-08-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.knee.2025.07.019
- Primary Topic
- Tendon Structure and Treatment
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00