THE INJURIES WE TREAT
How does the knee work?
The knee is the largest and most complex joint in the body and also one of the most easily injured. It essentially acts as a hinge between the thighbone (the femur) and the shinbone (the tibia). It is an extremely mobile joint allowing bending and straightening of the knee as well as rotation and pivoting.
To allow this range of movement, the knee joint is supported by a number of key structures:
There are four major ligaments (collateral and cruciate) which connect the bones of the lower and upper leg and help to provide joint stability and flexibility. ACL injuries are very common in sports.
The knee joint also contains the medial and lateral meniscus (the menisci), they are thick rubbery pads of cartilage tissue. They are C shaped and sit between the thigh and shinbones. The menisci act as shock absorbers and help to protect the joint, allowing the bones to glide freely against each other without causing damage.
The tendons join the muscles of the upper and lower leg and also hold the kneecap (patella) in place.
Most knee problems involve tearing or straining of the ligaments, torn meniscus (knee cartilage) and strained tendon or muscles. These injuries are often encountered in contact sports such as football, skiing and basketball which involve changing or twisting direction rapidly, deceleration or by a blow to the outside of the knee.
Common knee problems
ACL - anterior cruciate ligament
PCL - posterior cruciate ligament
MCL - medial collateral ligament
Cartilage or meniscus tear
