Knee Lecture
Knee Lecture
Knee Lecture
epicondyles
condyles
patella
intercondylar
notch
Anterior
tibial plateaus
tibial tuberosity
Posterior
Transverse
Anterior
Ligamentous Support
Menisci
Cruciate
Ligaments
Collateral
Ligaments
Other
Ligaments
Menisci
lateral
medial
Menisci Function
increases stability by deepening
tibial plateaus
decreases friction by 20%
increases contact area by 70%
absorbs shock
removal of menisci does NOT
preclude normal motion, but
increase wear on articulating surfaces
increase chance of developing
degenerative joint disease
Collateral
Ligaments
lateral (fibular)
medial (tibial)
Collateral
Ligaments
Additional
Ligamentous
Support
iliotibial band
thick, strong band of
tissue connecting
tensor fascia latae to
femur and tibia
Cruciate
Ligaments
cruciate -- cross
ligaments form an X
or cross within the joint
named for their TIBIAL
attachments
Anterior Cruciate (ACL)
F
E
M
U
R
PATELLA
T
I
B
I
A
Posterior
Anterior
Patello-femoral Joint
articulation of the
patella and femur
the patella is a true
sesamoid bone
posterior surface of the
patella is covered with
thick hyaline cartilage
the patella slides
within the trochlear
groove
without patella
Q-Angle
The Q-angle is the angle formed
by a line from the anterior
superior spine of the ilium to
the middle of the patella and a
line from the middle of the
patella to the tibial tuberosity.
Males typically have Q-angles
between 10 to 14o, females
between 15-17o.
Atypical Q-angles
bowleggedness
knock-knees
Knee Rotation
(Locking Your Knee)
Extension
Flexion
External
Rotation
Internal
Rotation
1 The femoral condyles do not have the same diameters, this helps
cause internal rotation when the knee is flexed and external rotation
when the knee is extended.
2 The lateral condyle slides more than medial condyle.
3 The anterior cruciate ligament becomes taut just prior to the rotation,
this may help force a rotation of the femur on the tibia.
Knee Musculature
many 2 joint muscles
primary movements
- flexion and extension
- hams & quads,
respectively
medial and lateral
rotation possible
necessary for screwhome mechanism
Knee Flexion
Hamstrings
cross hip and knee
biceps femoris
semitendinosus
semimembranosus
gastrocnemius
cross knee and ankle
popliteus
Lateral Rotation
biceps femoris
attaches to lateral aspect of knee
Medial Rotation
semitendinosus
semimembranosus
popliteus
attach to medial aspect of knee
Ligament Injuries
ACL
more prevalent than PCL injuries
forces directed from posterior side of leg
PCL
forces directed from anterior side of leg
forced flexion of knee w/external rotation
wrestling and football
PCL Injuries
When the knee is forcefully twisted or hyperextended BUT other
ligaments are usually injured or torn, before the posterior
cruciate ligament (PCL) is torn
Most common mechanism for PCL alone to be injured is from a
direct blow to the front of the knee while the knee is bent.
Automobile accident
1. Automobile strikes another and stops suddenly
2. Front passenger or driver slides forward.
3. Bent knee hits the dashboard just below the knee cap forcing
tibia backwards on the femur tearing PCL.
The same force can occur during a fall on the bent knee, where the
force of the fall on the tibia pushes it back against the femur
and tears the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).
Common mechanism of
PCL injury in football is
being tackled while the
knee is fully extended.
Ligament Injuries
Meniscus Injuries
most common injury in the knee
tearing is most common
medial side injured more often
medial meniscus more secured
foot planted with excessive rotation
Iliotibial Band
Syndrome
IT-band
thick strong band of
ligamentous tissue
connects tensor fascia latae to
the lateral condyle of the
femur and the lateral
tuberosity of the tibia