Knee Flashcards
What is known about the knee joint in the body?
Largest joint in the body
Key in locomotive activities
Inherently unstable from its bony arrangement
What does the knee work in concert with?
Ankle
Hip
Where does the knee get its stability?
Ligamentous investment
Muscular invesment
What are the different articulations that make up the knee?
Tibial-femoral (femoral meniscus, meniscal tibial)
Paterllar femoral
Superior tibial-fibular
Inferior tibial-fibular
How many degrees of freedom in the knee?
2-3 degrees if you count the screw-home mechanism
What are four things about the femur?
A-P convexity is inconsistent
A smaller radius of curvature posteriorly
Medial femoral condyle 2/3” longer and extensds further distally
6 degrees of valgus
What are five things about the tibia?
Two asymmetrical concave articulating plateaus
Medial tibia plateau is 50% larger than lateral
Two fibracartilagenous discs (menisci) increase congruency
Medial meniscus is shaped as a semicircle, the lateral 4/5ths of ring
Medial meniscus has decreased mobility, increases susceptibility
What are the five ligaments of the knee?
Medial collateral Lateral Collateral Anterior cruciate Posterior cruciate Coronary
What are the three aspects of the medial collateral ligament?
Two layered structure
Deep layer is intimately associated with the joint capsule
Superficial layer is a broad triangularly shaped structure
What are the four aspects of the lateral collateral ligament?
A rounded shaped structure
Is located more posteriorly than appreciated
Lies under biceps femoris tendon
Independent- may have bursa between it
What are the four aspects of the anterior cruciate ligament?
Is intracapsular, yet extrasynovial (blood from bone)
Named by its tibia attachment
Extends superiorly, posteriorly, and laterally
Checks: Anterior translation, lateral rotation in flexion, extension, and hyperextension
What are the four aspects of the posterior cruciate ligament?
Is intracapsular, yet extrasynovial
Named by its tibia attachment
Extends superiorly, anteriorly, and medially
Checks: Posterior glid, extension, and hyperextension
What is the aspect of the coronary ligament?
Attaches menisci to the tibia
What happened if swelling occured immediately (1-2 hours) after injury and consists of blood?
Internal ligament tear, osteochondral fracture, or peripheral meniscus tear (doughy, taut)
What happened if swelling is delayed (8-24 hours) and synovial swelling?
Joint irritation (boggy feeling)