Knee joint Flashcards
What type of joint is the knee joint?
A hinge type synovial joint
What movements of the leg does the knee joint allow?
Flexion
Extension
(Some) Medial and lateral rotation
What articulates in the knee joint?
Patella
Femur
Tibia
What are the two articulations of the knee joint?
Medial and lateral condyles of the femur articulating with the tibia
Anterior, distal portion of the femur articulating with the patella.
What lines the knee joint?
Hyaline cartilage
Where is the Patella?
Inside the tendon of the Quadriceps femoris
What does the Patella do?
Minimises wear and tear of the tendon
What is the function of the Menisci of the knee joint?
Shock absorbers
Increases stability by deepening the articulating surface of the tibia
Where are the Menisci attached?
One on each Intercondylar area of the Tibia
What else is the medial Meniscus attached to?
Tibial collateral ligament and joint capsule and joint capsule
Is the lateral Meniscus attached to anything else?
No. It is smaller than the medial Meniscus and is mobile.
What are the 3 bursae in the knee joint?
Suprapatella
Prepatella
Infrapatella
What are the 3 main groups of ligaments in the knee?
Patellar ligament
Collateral ligaments
Cruciate ligaments
What are the Collateral ligaments?
Tibial collateral ligament (medial)
Fibular collateral ligament (lateral)
What are the Cruciate ligaments
Anterior cruciate ligament
Posterior cruciate ligament
What are the common conditions effecting the knee joint?
Injuries to the Collateral ligaments
Injuries to the Cruciate ligaments
Inflammation of the Bursae
What can cause damage to the Collateral ligaments?
Force being applied to the side of the knee when the foot is on the ground.
How can you test for Collateral ligament damage?
Ask the patient to rotate their leg; Pain on medial rotation means damage to the medial Collateral ligament. Pain on lateral rotation means damage to the lateral Collateral ligament
What can cause damage to the anterior Cruciate ligament?
Large force applied to the back of the knee when it is partially flexed.
How can you test for anterior Cruciate ligament damage?
Attempt to pull the tibia forwards, if it moves the ligament has been torn (Anterior drawer test)
How can you damage the posterior Cruciate ligament?
Hyperextension of the joint
How can you test for posterior Cruciate ligament damage?
Push the tibia in the posterior direction, if it moves the ligament has been damaged
What is housemaid’s knee?
Swelling on the anterior side of the knee from an inflammed prepatella bursae.
What is Clergyman’s knee?
Infrapatella bursae becomes inflammed.
