Week 3 Knee Anatomy

Question 1

What are the 3 points of articulation in the knee joint?

Answer 1

Lateral and medial condyle of femur and tibia, and patellar surface of femur

Question 2

What are the movements at the the knee?

Answer 2

1. Hinge- flexion and extension
   - round surfaces for articulation with tibia in flexion
   - flat surfaces for articulation with tibia in extension
2. rolling and gliding on articular surfaces
3. rotation around a vertical axis (30-40)

Question 3

Describe the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. (relationships)

Answer 3

ACL is on top, runs from lateral to medial

PCL is deep to ACL and runs from medial to lateral

Question 4

What are the functions of the ACL and PCL?

Answer 4

1. ACL: prevent femur from sliding posteriorly on the tibia and hyperextension of the knee. Limits medial rotation of the femur when foot on ground.
2. PCL: prevents hyper flexion of the leg. prevents femur from sliding anteriorly on the tibia when knee is flex
   - transverse stability of knee

Question 5

How do you test for the integrity of collateral ligaments in the knee?

Answer 5

1. Valgus: move lower leg to the lateral side (tests medial meniscus)
2. Varus: move lower leg to the right

Question 6

How do you test for the integrity of cruciate ligaments in the knee?

Answer 6

Anterior Drawer test- flex knee at 10-30 degrees, pull to check for displacement of the tibia forward

Question 7

How do you test for meniscal tear in the knee?

Answer 7

Leg rotation test

1. pain on lateral rotation indicates injury of lateral meniscus
2. Pain of medial rotation indicates injury of medial artery

Question 8

What is the unhappy triad?

Answer 8

MCL, ACL and medial/lateral meniscus tear (most likely lateral and not medial)