What type of joint is the knee?
Hinge joint that allows flexion + extension + some rotational movement
Name the joints in the knee
• Tibiofemoral (synovial bicondylar hinge joint)
• Patellofemoral (synovial joint)
• Superior Tibio-Fibular (synovial joint)
What type of joint is the Tibiofemoral joint?
Synovial bicondylar hinge joint
What type of joint is the Patellofemoral joint?
Synovial
What type of joint is the Superior Tibio-Fibular joint?
Synovial
Name the bony landmarks of the knee
• Intercondylar eminence
• Lateral condyle
• Head of Fibula
• Medial Condyle
• Tibial Tuberosity
• Groove on medial condyle
• Soleal line
• Neck of Fibula
• Flattened area for lateral meniscus
• Flattened area for medial meniscus
Name the main knee ligaments
• MCL (medial collateral ligament)
• LCL (lateral collatera ligament)
• ACL (anterior cruciate ligament)
• PCL (posterior cruciate ligament)
What makes up the unhappy triad?
• MCL
• ACL
• Medial Meniscus
*all 3 are connected ∴ if 1 is injured, the others may be injured as well
What is the function of the MCL?
• Provides medial stability during movements
• Resists knee valgus force (force going in/medially)
What is the function of the LCL?
• Provides lateral stability during movements
• Resists knee varus force (force going out/laterally)
*Is more flexible + less susceptible to injury than MCL
What is the function of the ACL?
Resists forward/medial translation of tibia on the femur
What is the function of the PCL?
Resists backwards/lateral translation of tibia on the femur
Describe the function of the Meniscus
• Widen & deepen the articular surfaces of the tibia
• Provies stability to the knee
What are the structures of and around the Meniscus?
• ‘Horns’ of Meniscus
• Medial Meniscus
• Lateral Meniscus
• (ACL)
• (PCL)
• (Patella)
Where are more proprioceptive nerves found in the Meniscus?
On the outside (compared to the inside)
Which margin of the meniscus is more vascularised?
Outer marjin (compared to inner marjin)
Name the knee bursae
• Suprapatellar Bursa
• Prepatellar Bursa (inflammation due to excessive kneeling - ‘Housmaid’s Knee’)
• Subcutaneous Infrapatellar Bursa
• Deep Infrapatellar Bursa
• Bursa Anserinus (comes under Pes Anserine)
How does the Patella slide during flexion & extension?
• Flexion: Patella slides inferiorly to Femur
• Extension: Patella slides superiorly to Femur
What are the degrees of movement in the knee?
Flexion/Extension:
0-140° active, 0-160° passive
