Knee Flashcards
Where does the lateral collateral ligament originate?
The lateral epicondyle of the femur
Where does the medial collateral ligament originate?
The medial epicondyle of the femur
Where does the gastrocnemius originate?
The femoral condyles
What inserts onto the tibial tuberosity?
The infrapatellar tendon (ligamentum patellae)
What inserts onto Gerdy’s tubercle and where does it lie?
- ITB
- Anterolaterally to the tibial tiberosity (2/3 of the way between tib tuberosity and fibula)
What attaches onto the fibular head? (2)
1- LCL
2- Biceps femoris
The common peroneal nerve wraps around the fibular head posteriorly
What are all the joints in the knee? (3)
Within how many capsules?
1- Superior tibiofibular joint
2- Patellofemoral joint: the extensor mechanism of the knee
3- Tibiofemoral joint: weight bearing activities
2&3 are in the same capsule
What are the four main patellar bursae?
1- Prepatellar bursa (subcutaneous)
2- Subcutaneous superficial infrapatellar bursa
3- Deep infrapatellar bursa (no communication with the joint, best felt with the knee in extension and it is just proximal to the tibial tuberosity)
4- Suprapatellar bursa (
Where does the infrapatellar fat pad of Hoffa lie?
It lies between the infrapatellar tendon and knee joint.
What is the quadriceps expansion/patella retinacula?
The tendons of vastus medialis and lateralis insert onto the medial and lateral borders of the patella.
Along with the ITB, it is responsible for transverse stability of the patella.
What does the medial aspect of the quadriceps expansion blend with?
The MCL
What type of joint is the tibiofemoral joint?
Hinge joint
What do the menisci of the knee do? (4)
1- Shock absorption
2- Load transmission
3- Lubrification
4- Stability
What are the coronary ligaments?
The ligaments that attach the menisci to the tibial condyles (“eyelashes of the menisci”)
Which coronary ligaments are longer between the medial and lateral?
Lateral due to the greater excursion of the lateral meniscus
What are the orientations of the knee’s menisci collagen fibres?
Superficial fibres - radial
Deep fibres - circumferential
What do the radial fibres of the knee’s menisci do?
Resistance to longitudinal stresses
What do the circumferential fibres of the knee’s menisci do?
Facilitates dispersion of compressive loads
What are the two types of injury to the menisci?
1- Longitudinal or transverse splitting of the fibrocartilage
2- Separation of the thinner inner part of the meniscus from the thicker outer portion (“bucket handle”)
What is the medial meniscus attached to?
The MCL
What is the lateral meniscus attached to?
It is separated from the capsule by the tendon of the popliteus. Posteriorly, the lateral meniscus contributes a ligamentous slip to the PCL –> Posterior meniscofemoral ligament
What are the three plicae of the knee?
1- Superior plica
2- Inferior plica
3- Medial plica –> alongside the medial border of the patella
What are the tendons that compromise pes anserinus (anteriorly to posteriorly)?
“Say Grace before Tea”
Sartorius
Gracilis
semiTendinosus
What is the size of the MCL and what are its attachments?
It originates from the medial femoral epicondyle, is 2.5 fingers wide and runs down approx 5 cm past the joint line (8-10cm in total length). It inserts into the tibia, posteriorly to pes anserus
What are the two parts of the MCL?
1- Superficial layer: 80% of the resistance to valgus forces, these are the strongest part of the ligament
2- Deep layer: attaches to the capsule and medial meniscus, these are more prone to injury
What does the MCL stabilise?
1- The medial side of the knee, preventing excessive valgus forces
Preventing…
2- lateral rotation of the tibia
3- anterior translation of the tibia
4- hyperextension of the knee
What is the size of the LCL and what are its attachments?
- 5cm long and the width of half a pencil
- It originates at the lateral epicondyle of the femur and inserts into the head of the fibula where it blends with the tendon of biceps femoris
What does the LCL stabilise?
1- Restrains varus movement
Controls…
2- posterior translation of the tibia
3- Lateral rotation of the tibia
Are the cruciate ligaments intracapsular?
Yes
Are the cruciate ligaments intrasynovial?
No
What is the size of the cruciate ligaments?
As thick as a pencil
Which fibres are taut in extension and flexion between the ACL’s anteromedial and posterolateral bands?
Anteromedial - taut in flexion
Posterolateral - taut in extension
Does the ACL stabilise throughout movement?
True
What are the ACL’s stabilising roles?
Resists…
1- anterior translation of the tibia
2- medial translation of the tibia
3- Valgus, varus and hyperextension stresses
What is the most common mechanism of injury to the ACL?
Lateral rotation combined with a valgus force applied to the fixed tibia
It may also be injured in hyperextension, medial rotation in full extension or anterior translation caused by direct injury to the calf
Which is stronger between the ACL and PCL?
The PCL is twice as strong as the ACL and less oblique.
Is the PCL a principle stabiliser?
Yes
What does the PCL stabilise?
Controls…
1- posterior translation of the tibia
2- produces and restrains rotation of the tibia because posterior translation of the tibia occurs with concomitant lateral rotation of the tibia