Knee Joint

Question 1

Tibiofemoral Joint:

What is the Open Packed position? Closed Packed Positions? Capsular Pattern?

Answer 1

Open Packed Position: 25 degrees of flexion
Closed Packed Position: Full Extension, External Rotation of the Tibia
Capsular Pattern: Flexion > Extension

Question 2

Articulation of Patellofemoral Joint

Answer 2

Formed by the convex patella and the concave trochlear groove of the femur.

Question 3

How does the patella move with knee flexion and extension?

Answer 3

Patella slides superiorly in knee extension

Patella slides inferiorly in knee flexion

Question 4

What muscles produce knee flexion?

Answer 4

Biceps Femoris
Semitendinosus
Sartorius
Semimembranosus

Question 5

What muscles produce knee extension?

Answer 5

Rectus Femoris
Vastus Lateralis
Vastus Intermedius
Vastus Medialis

Question 6

What is the Anterior Cruciate Ligaments?

Answer 6

The ACL runs from the:

Anterior Intercondylar area of the Tibia > Medial Aspect of the Lateral Femoral Condyle (in the intercondylar notch)

Question 7

What motions does anterior cruciate ligament resist?

Answer 7

Anterior translation of the tibia on the femur.

Question 8

What is the arcuate ligament complex and its function?

Answer 8

Consists of the:
- Arcuate Ligament
- Oblique Popliteal Ligament
- Lateral Collateral Ligament
- Popliteus Tendon
- Lateral head of the Gastrocnemius

Assists the cruciate ligaments in controlling posterolateral rotary instability of the knee and provides support to the posterolateral joint capsule.

Question 9

What are the bursae of the knee?

Answer 9

• Prepatellar Bursae: Lies above the patella allowing greater amounts of movement of the skin
• Superficial Infrapatellar Bursae: between the patellar tendon and the skin
• Deep Infrapatellar Bursae: between the patellar tendon and the tibia

Question 10

What are the fat pads of the knee?

Answer 10

Quadriceps

Pre-femoral

Infrapatellar: this is most commonly affect and can be associated with anterior knee pain when it becomes impinged. [Hoffa’s Syndrome]

Question 11

What is the lateral collateral ligament?

Answer 11

Running from the lateral femoral epicondyle to the fibular head.

Prevents excessive varus displacement of the tibia relative to the femur.

Question 12

What is the medial collateral ligament?

Answer 12

Running slightly above the medial femoral epicondyle to the medial aspect of the shaft of tibia.

There are deep capsular fibers attached to the medial meniscus

Prevents excessive valgus displacement of the tibia relative to the femur.

Question 13

What are the menisci of the knee?

Answer 13

The medial and lateral meniscus are attached to the proximal surface of the tibia

• Thicker at the periphery and thinner towards the center
• Function to deepen the articular surfaces of the tibia
• Act as shock absorbers and contribute to lubrication and nutrition of the joint.

Question 14

What is the Pes Anserine group?

Answer 14

Is a common insertion site for the:
- Gracilis
- Semitendinosus
- Sartorius

Located medial and distal to the tibial tuberosity

Pain in this region?
- May indicate the presence of pes anserine bursitis

Question 15

What is plicae?

Answer 15

Extensions of the synovial membrane.

• sometimes found in the anterior knee
• most commonly medial to the patella
• No particular function, but can be be a source of anterior knee pain.

Question 16

What is the posterior cruciate ligament and its function?

Answer 16

Runs from the posterior intercondylar area of the tibia to the lateral aspect of the medial femoral condyle (in the intercondylar notch)

Serves to prevent posterior displacement of the tibia on the femur.