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Anatomy of the knee joint
What is the anatomy of the knee joint?
The knee joint is one of the most complex and important joints in our body. The knee is responsible for supporting our body weight and allowing movement in our legs. It plays a central role in many daily activities, from walking and running to bending and jumping. To understand knee problems and their treatment, it is important to first gain a deeper understanding of the anatomy of the knee.
The knee joint
The knee joint, or art. genus, is a hinged joint that allows flexion (bending) and extension (stretching) of the leg. It is unique in that it also allows for a certain degree of rotation, providing increased mobility and functionality.
Femur: The knee joint is formed by the distal (lower) end of the femur, which has two condyles (medial and lateral condyle). These condyles are round and contribute to the stability and movement of the joint.
Tibia: The largest bone in the lower leg, forming the proximal (upper) part of the knee joint. The surface of the tibia that meets the femur is covered with cartilage to reduce friction and distribute load.
Patella (kneecap): A triangular sesamoid bone embedded in the tendon of the quadriceps muscle. The patella protects the knee joint and acts as a lever for the thigh muscles, improving their effectiveness in stretching the knee.
Knee structure
The bone structures of the knee joint are adapted to provide both strength and mobility:
Condyle: The medial and lateral condyles of the femur articulate with the tibia and form the hinge joint of the knee. The shape and position of the condyles are crucial for the stability of the knee.
Tibial plateau: the upper surface of the tibia where the condyles rest. The tibial plateau has two concave surfaces that support the condyles and menisci.
Patellofemoral joint: This joint is formed by the patella and femur and allows the sliding movement of the patella over the femur when bending and extending the knee.
Ligaments and tendons
The knee is stabilized and moved by several important ligaments and tendons:
- Cruciate ligaments: Inside the knee are two important ligaments:
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL): Prevents the tibia from slipping forward in relation to the femur.
Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL): prevents the tibia from slipping backwards in relation to the femur.
- Lateral ligaments:
Medial collateral ligament (MCL): Stabilizes the knee joint from forces on the inside.
Lateral collateral ligament (LCL): Stabilizes the knee joint from forces on the outside.
- Menisci: Two crescent-shaped cartilage discs, the medial and lateral menisci, act as shock absorbers between the femur and tibia, distributing the load evenly over the joint surfaces.
- Tendons:
Quadriceps tendon/Patella tendon: Attaches the quadriceps muscle to the patella. Connects the patella to the tibia and transmits force from the quadriceps to extend the knee joint.
Why do people get knee problems?
Knee problems and knee pain are common and can be caused by a variety of factors, from acute injuries to long-term overuse and natural age changes.
Injuries and overload
Knee injuries are common in sport and can affect everyone from elite athletes to everyday exercisers:
Ligament injuries: Injuries to the ACL and MCL are common in sports that involve sudden stops, turns, or lateral movements, such as soccer, basketball, and skiing. These injuries can cause significant pain and instability in the knee.
Meniscus injuries: The meniscus can be torn or torn during twisting or straining, especially during activities involving sudden stops or twisting. A torn meniscus can cause pain, swelling and locking of the knee.
Overuse: Activities such as running or jumping can lead to overuse injuries such as runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome) or jumper’s knee (patellar tendinopathy). These conditions cause pain around or under the kneecap and can limit activity.
Age-related changes
With age, the knee undergoes natural changes that can lead to problems:
Osteoarthritis: A degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage in the knee joint breaks down, leading to pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. Osteoarthritis is more common in older adults and can worsen over time.
Osteoporosis: Reduced bone density, which makes bones more prone to fractures and can affect knee stability and function.
Anatomical variations
Some individuals have anatomical characteristics that may predispose them to knee problems:
Knee valgus: Abnormal knee arches, such as knee valgus (genu valgum) or knee varus (genu varum), can lead to uneven loading on the knee joint and increase the risk of injury and pain.
Patellar luxation: A condition where the kneecap pops out of place easily, causing pain, swelling and instability. This can be congenital or develop over time due to muscular imbalance or injury.
Symptoms of knee problems
Knee problems can manifest themselves in several ways, depending on the cause and extent of the injury.
Pain and swelling
Acute pain: often occurs with injuries such as ligament or meniscus damage. The pain can be sharp and intense, especially with movement or strain.
Chronic pain: May be due to degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. The pain is often dull and aching and may worsen with activity or after prolonged inactivity.
Swelling in the knee: May be a sign of inflammation, fluid retention or internal damage. The swelling may limit mobility and cause discomfort.
Reduced mobility and instability
Stiffness: Reduced mobility, especially after periods of inactivity, is common in osteoarthritis and other degenerative conditions.
Instability: The feeling that the knee joint is buckling or not holding up, often due to ligament or meniscus damage. This can lead to insecurity and increased risk of further injury.
Treatment of knee problems?
The treatment of knee problems requires a comprehensive and individualized approach. Some ways you can get help are:
Diagnostics: A doctor can use advanced diagnostic tools such as MRI, CT scan and ultrasound to identify the cause of your knee problems. A thorough medical history and physical examination are also crucial to making an accurate diagnosis.
Physiotherapy: Physiotherapists can develop personalized exercise programs to strengthen the muscles around the knee, improve mobility and reduce pain. Exercises can include strength training, stretching and balance exercises.
Manual therapy: Techniques such as massage, mobilization and manipulation can be used to improve joint function, reduce muscle tension and relieve pain.
Medical treatment: Includes painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs and, if necessary, injections of cortisone or hyaluronic acid to reduce inflammation and pain.
Surgery: In severe cases, surgical procedures such as arthroscopy, ligament reconstruction or knee replacements may be necessary to restore knee function and relieve pain.
Advice: Advice on lifestyle changes, ergonomics and exercise programs to prevent future knee problems. This can include tips on how to adapt your work environment, improve your posture and reduce the risk of injury through proper technique in physical activities.
How is treatment done at the FasciaClinics?
At Fascia Clinics, an analysis of the whole body is done to see where compensations and misalignments exist and how they may have affected the knees. If there is a primary misalignment in the body, imbalances can spread further in the body so that muscles, joints and tendons are more easily overstressed. Fascia treatment for knee joint problems involves balancing the body to make the load on the legs more even. A more even load will reduce the wear and tear on the muscles and other structures of the legs, thereby reducing the risk of injury.
By combining medical expertise with personalized care, we can help you regain mobility and relieve pain, so you can return to your daily activities with increased comfort and confidence.
