The Knee Joint PDF

THE KNEE JOINT Joint classification: Synovial joint of the hinge/condylar type  At the end of session, students should be able to: Classify the joint and identify the articulating surfaces Identify structures which stabilize and strengthen the joint Address the matter of...

THE KNEE JOINT Joint classification: Synovial joint of the hinge/condylar type  At the end of session, students should be able to: Classify the joint and identify the articulating surfaces Identify structures which stabilize and strengthen the joint Address the matter of intracapsular structures Identify movements possible at the joint Identify the blood supply and innervation of the joint.  ARTICULATING SURFACES Condyles of the distal end of the femur articulate with the condyles at the proximal end of the tibia. Minor joint is formed where the posterior surface of the patella articulates with the patellar surface of the femur. All articulating surfaces are covered with articular hyaline cartilage.  Structures which stabilize & strengthen the joint Fibrous capsule- surrounds/encloses the joint. Synovial membrane-lines the fibrous capsule, covers the popliteus tendon, forms supra-patellar bursae, lines patellar tendon, covers cruciate ligament and produces synovial fluid.  Structures which stabilize & strengthen the joint Tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle in which the patella is found. Ligaments 1. Popliteal ( posterior aspect), tibial collateral ( medial aspect), fibular collateral (lateral aspect), Arcuate popliteal and oblique popliteal ligaments ( lateral aspect).  Structures which stabilize & strengthen the joint Meniscus ( semi-lunar cartilages) : two in number. Found on the upper surface of the tibial condyles. Cruciate ligaments: Anterior and posterior. Extend from the intercondylar notch to the tibial tubercles. Popliteus tendon ( lateral aspect)  Structures which stabilize & strengthen the joint Bursae: 1. Suprapatellar ( above the joint) 2. Pre patellar ( between the anterior surface of the patella and the skin), 3. Infra patellar ( below the patella) Fat pads: Infrapatellar pad of fat found above the infrapatellar bursa, between the patellar ligament and the synovial membrane.  Movements possible at the joint Flexion Extension Minimal medial and lateral rotation  Blood supply & Nerve supply Arterial: femoral, popliteal and anterior tibial arteries Venous: popliteal vein, anterior and posterior tibial veins, short saphenous vein Nerve supply: obturator, peroneal, femoral and popliteal nerves.