The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), anterolateral complex (ALC) and lateral meniscus (LM) maintain the anterolateral rotatory stability of the knee and control the internal rotation of the tibia. Anterolateral rotatory instability (ALRI) of the knee is not uncommon in clinic, and its main injury mechanism is non-contact injury. A pivot shift test or a tibial internal rotation test can indicate ALRI while X-ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound can assist in its diagnosis and differential diagnosis. For acute ALRI, good technique of ACL reconstruction is the basis to avoid postoperative residual ALRI, and anterolateral ligament reconstruction and extra-articular tenodesis are optional as appropriate. For chronic cases, however, both anterolateral ligament reconstruction and extra-articular tenodesis are effective. This article reviews the progress in research on the diagnosis and treatment of ALRI of the knee, hoping to provide references for its clinical diagnosis and treatment.