Knee and Ankle Function Flashcards
Which femoral condyle deviates from the femoral midline more?
medial condyle
which condyle is longer and more narrow?
medial condyle
which condyle possibly facilitates the screw-home mechanism?
the longer medial condyle
what is the shape of the medial meniscus?
C-shaped
what is the shape of the lateral meniscus?
complete circle
what shape do the menisci appear on cross-section?
triangular
what is the function of menisci?
shock absorption and spacers within joint
in which position- flexion/extension - is the knee more stable?
more stable in extension than flexion
explain the roll and glide theory for the knee joint.
the femur will roll and glide during knee flexion to allow the knee to flex without impinging on the posterior tibial plateau
what is open kinetic chain?
non-weight bearing (swing phase)
what is closed kinetic chain?
WB (stance phase)
explain the screw-home mechanism.
- external rotation of the tibia on the femur during the last 15-20 degrees of extension (OKC)
- internal rotation of the femur (CKC)
in CKC, which portion is moving on which portion?
in CKC, the proximal segment is moving on the distal segment
in OKC, what portion is moving on which portion?
in OKC, the distal segment is moving on the proximal segment
what is the function of anterior thigh muscles?
- extend the knee in OKC
- pull thigh over a stationary tibia in CKC
what is the function of lateral thigh muscles (tensor fascia lata)?
abducts the tibia on the femur in OKC
externally rotates the tibia on the femur in OKC
what is the function of posterior thigh muscles?
strong knee joint flexors in OKC
*hamstring muscle action ocurs mainly in swing phase (OKC)
which muscle group has minimal function during gait?
medial thigh muscles
what is happening during contact phases?
- knee joint is flexing to absorb shock (aided by hamstrings)
- quadriceps contract to keep knee from buckling
what is happening during midstance phases?
- quads continue to contract and extend the knee
- when the body mass passes over the knee joint, quads are no longer needed
- tensor fascia lata externally rotates the tibia on the femur during the last 20 degrees of knee extension
what is happening during propulsive phase?
- TFL continues to externally rotate the tibia as knee continues to extend
- adductors contract during double support phase of gait
- hamstrings start to fire to flex knee preparing for swing phase
what is happening during swing phase?
- hamstrings flex knee at start of swing phase to allow foot to clear the ground
- knee extends the rest of swing phase preparing for contact (quads only needed last 20 deg of extension)
- hamstrings contract to counteract quads and keep knee from fully extending
which portion of the trochlea is wider?
anterior portion is 25% wider
in which position is the ankle joint more stable?
dorsiflexed position