The Knee Joint

Question 1

What type of Joint is the Knee

Answer 1

Synovial Hinge Joint

Question 2

Bones of the Knee joint

Answer 2

Distal Femur
Proximal Tibia

(Patella)
(Fibula: not associated with knee joint- mainly just for muscle attachments)

Question 3

Articulations at the knee

Answer 3

Medial Femorotibial
Lateral Femorotibial
Femoropatellar

Question 4

Movements of the knee

Answer 4

Extension
Flexion
Medial/Lateral Rotation

Question 5

When can knee rotation only occur

Answer 5

When knee is flexed and collateral ligaments are relaxed

Question 6

Why is knee flexion not as strong when the hip is extended

Answer 6

Loss of tension of Hamstrings

Question 7

Locking of the Knee

Answer 7

Femur rotates MEDIALLY when approaching full extension

Question 8

Unlocking of the Knee

Answer 8

Popliteus LATERALLY rotates femur

Can’t flex the knee without first unlocking

Question 9

Why is the knee least congruent in flexion

Answer 9

Round Femoral Condyles provide less contact upon the Tibial Plateau

Question 10

Functions of the Menisci

Answer 10

Increase Joint Congruity (negligible)
Evenly distribute weight
Shock Absorption
Assist in Knee Locking

Question 11

Which meniscus is attached to its collateral ligament

Answer 11

MEDIAL meniscus is attached to TIBIAL collateral ligament

Question 12

Causes of a Meniscal Tear

Answer 12

Sports Injury

Degenerative Changes e.g Osteoarthritis

Question 13

Symptoms of a meniscal tear

Answer 13

Locking of knee
Pain during movement
Reduced movement

As menisci may become trapped in joint

Question 14

Repair of Meniscal tear

Answer 14

Repair or Resection is limited due to poor blood supply

Question 15

Intra-articular ligaments

Answer 15

ACL and PCL

Inside the joint capsule

Question 16

Extra-articular ligaments

Answer 16

Medial / Lateral (Tibial/Fibular) Collateral Ligaments

Question 17

Origin/ Insertion of ACL

Answer 17

Anterior Intercondyle

->

Lateral Femoral Condyle

Question 18

Function of ACL

Answer 18

Prevents Hyperextension/ Anterior displacement of tibia on femur

Question 19

Injury to ACL

Answer 19

Hyperextension (anterior force)

Question 20

Origin/Insertion of PCL

Answer 20

Posterior Intercondyle

->

Medial Femoral Condyle

Question 21

Function of PCL

Answer 21

Prevents Hyperflexion/ Posterior displacement of tibia on femur

Question 22

Injury to PCL

Answer 22

Landing on Tibial Tuberosity with a flexed knee

Question 23

Which cruciate ligament is strongest?

Answer 23

PCL- main stabiliser of flexed knee e.g. walking downhill

Question 24

Features/ attachments of Fibular/Lateral Collateral Ligament

Answer 24

Flat band, not attached to meniscus

Lateral Femoral Epicondyle

->

Head of Fibula

Question 25

Function of LCL

Answer 25

Prevents Abduction and rotation during knee extension

Question 26

Features/ attachments of Tibial/Medial Collateral Ligament

Answer 26

Cord like band, attached to medial meniscus Medial Femoral Epicondyle -> Medial Tibial Condyle

Question 27

Function of MCL

Answer 27

Prevents adduction and rotation during knee extension

Question 28

What is the Unhappy Triad

Answer 28

ACL Tear MCL Tear Medial Meniscus tear Common when flexed knee is excessively laterally rotated

Question 29

Bursae of the Knee

Answer 29

Prepatellar Bursa Suprapatellar Bursa Deep Infrapatellar Bursa Superficial Infrapatellar Bursa

Question 30

Muscles stabilising the patella

Answer 30

Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Intermedius pull laterally Vastus Medialis pulls medially and obliquely Lip on Lateral Femoral Condyle

Question 31

Why are patellar dislocations more common in females

Answer 31

Greater Q angle (wider and more shallow pelvis)

Question 32

What is genu varum

Answer 32

Bow knee; Increased Q angle Tibia adducted relative to femur

Question 33

What is genu valgum

Answer 33

Knock knee; Decreased Q-Angle Tibia abducted relative to femur

Question 34

Changes in osteoarthritis

Answer 34

Reduced Joint Space Osteophytes (abnormal bone remodelling) Sclerosis (abnormal bone density)