Structure and Function of the
Knee
By: Amanda Ball
• the knee is a hinge joint, one of the types of synovial joints
• the knee is made of several ligaments, tendons, bones,condyles, cartilage and muscle groups
• bursa (not shown) cushion the bones
Structure
• the knee must be able to support great amounts of weight
• cartilage and synovial fluid help the joint to move without friction
• ligaments guide the knee through its range of motion
• muscles in the knee provide stability
Function
the knee is susceptible to many
injuries including ACL tears, meniscal
tears, osteoarthritis and Osgood
Schlatters
knee injuries
• one knee injury common among athletes is a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament)
• causes can include rapidly changing direction, suddenly stopping, slowing down while running, incorrectly landing from a jump, and direct contact collision
• symptoms include pain, swelling,loss of full range motion and tenderness
ACL Tears
• a torn meniscus can occur when twisting the knee, especially when putting your full weight on the joint
• symptoms are pain, swelling, stiffness and instability
meniscal tears
• Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in the knee
• OA is the wearing away of cartilage in the joint
• this is more prominent in middle-aged and elderly people
Osteoarthritis
• caused by overuse• occurs at the top of the shin bone and
bottom of the knee• most common on adolescents especially
during growth spurts and in children who play sports• symptoms include pain in the knee and
tibial tuberosity, which becomes enlarged
Osgood Schlatters
• http://www.aokainc.com/knee-anatomy-diagram/
• http://www.ivysportsmed.com/en/knee-pain/knee-joint-function
• http://www.interactive-biology.com/3992/functional-anatomy-of-the-knee-movement
-and-stability/
• http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00549
• http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/torn-meniscus/basics/definition/con-2
0029237
• http://painbehindkneecure.com/medial-meniscus-tear/
• https://www50.safesecureweb.com/secure/meniscus_transplantation.htm
• http://www.physioroom.com/injuries/knee/osgood_schlatters_disease_sum.php\
sources