Surgical approaches to the lateral knee

The knee is a complex joint composed of a combination of osseous, musculotendinous, ligamentous, neurovascular, and intra-articular structures, which must be taken into consideration when performing surgical approaches, whether it be for trauma, replacement, or joint preservation surgery. A wide variety of surgical approaches exist for exposure of the lateral side of the knee, including approaches to the distal femur, knee joint, and proximal tibia. Care must be taken to choose the appropriate approach depending on the procedure being performed to best preserve and protect important neurovascular structures. This review thoroughly describes the most frequently used surgical approaches to the lateral knee. The common themes and anatomical considerations presented in this review, in combination with continued experience, can provide surgeons with familiarity with various ways of accessing the knee joint.