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Bones of The Knee
Bones of The Knee
Three bones meet and move against each other at the knee joint:
The bottom of the femur (thigh bone) meets with top of the tibia (shin bone)
The patella (kneecap) glides along a grove located at the bottom and front of the
femur
It allows the bones to glide over each other as the knee bends and straightens
It acts as a shock absorber, cushioning bones against impacting each other (e.g.
during walking)
Cartilage and arthritis: Knee arthritis is defined by the loss of healthy articular cartilage
in the knee.
Knee Meniscus
A knee meniscus is a thick pad of cartilage located between the femur and tibia. There
are two menisci in each knee:
The menisci reduce shock and absorb impact when the knee is moving or bearing
weight. They also help stabilize the knee and facilitate smooth motion between the
surfaces of the knee.
Knee meniscus and arthritis: A meniscus injury or meniscus degeneration can lead to
the wear-and-tear of articular cartilage, and vice versa.
The ACL and PCL prevent the femur and tibia from sliding too far forward or backward.
The MCL and LCL prevent side to side movement.
A relatively new discovery revealed another ligament in the knee that was named antero
lateral ligament (ALL), which seems to work in conjunction with ACL.1 However, research
is still ongoing to clarify its exact job and importance to the function and stability of the
knee.
Ligaments and knee arthritis: Knee ligament injuries can lead to joint instability,
accelerating the wear-and-tear that leads to knee arthritis. Conversely, knee arthritis can
cause joint instability, which puts more strain on ligaments and increases the risk of
ligament injuries.
The patella tendon begins at the thigh’s quadriceps muscles and extends downward,
attaching patella to the front of the tibia. When the quadriceps muscles contract the
patellar tendon is pulled and the leg straightens.
Tendons and arthritis: Patellar tendon problems can arise from knee arthritis but are
more likely to affect athletes who do a lot of running, pivoting, and jumping. If the patellar
tendon becomes irritated and inflamed it is called patellar tendinopathy, also known as
jumper’s knee.
Bursae and knee arthritis: Arthritis can alter joint biomechanics, leading to irritation of a
bursa. When a bursa is irritated and inflamed, it is called bursitis. The most common form
of knee bursitis is prepatellar bursitis.
A delicate, thin membrane, called the synovial membrane, encapsulates the knee joint.
The synovial membrane produces synovial fluid. This viscous fluid lubricates and
circulates nutrients to the joint.
When the knee is at rest, the synovial fluid is contained in the cartilage, much like
water in a sponge.
When the knee bends or bears weight the synovial fluid is squeezed out.
Therefore, joint use is necessary to keep joints lubricated and healthy.
The synovial membrane, synovial fluid, and knee arthritis: If the synovial membrane
becomes inflamed, it is called synovitis. People who have rheumatoid arthritis and other
inflammatory joint conditions may experience synovitis. In addition, a knee affected by
osteoarthritis may have too little synovial fluid, exacerbating joint friction.
Muscles and knee arthritis: Weak muscles will not provide adequate support and
stability; therefore, weak muscles can lead to or accelerate knee osteoarthritis.
In addition, recent studies suggest that arthritis may trigger mechanisms that make the
surrounding muscles of the knee weaker, creating a cycle where weakness promotes
arthritis and arthritis promotes further weakness.2-4 This information makes proper knee
support exercises in the context of arthritis even more important.
The knee is a large, complex joint with many parts. When one part is injured or
degenerates, it can change the knee joint’s biomechanics and have a cascading effect
on other parts. The best way to avoid joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis is to eat
a healthy diet, maintain a normal weight, and participate in a routine exercise program.