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