The knee is an essential component of the human body. It allows us to perform a sit to stand transfer, walk/run, and negotiate stairs. When knee injuries occur, even the most basic movements can become extremely difficult. Activities that were once easy can be impossible to perform. This article will discuss the anatomy of the knee and three common knee injuries.
Knee Anatomy
The knee is made up of two joints including the patellar-femoral joint and the tibio-femoral joint. The knee consists of bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and arteries. The main supportive muscles of the knee are your quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles. 3 common knee injuries are ligament injury, meniscus injury, and knee osteoarthritis.
Ligament Injuries
Ligament tissues are fibrous material that connect to bones. The 4 most common ligament injuries are ACL, MCL, LCL, and PCL. These 4 ligaments surround the knee capsule and play a significant role in knee stability
Meniscus Injuries
The knee has 2 menisci. The meniscus is cartilage that provides cushioning between the femur and tibia. When the meniscus gets damaged, pieces of the cartilage (debris) can dislodge into the knee joint.
Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is degenerative, wear and tear of the cartilage in the knee joint. As the cartilage gradually wears away, the protective space in between the joint decreases. This can result in bone rubbing on bone and may produce bone spurs.
If you are experiencing knee pain that is preventing you from participating in the activities you love, physical therapy can help. Call Respire Physical Therapy today at 703-671-1871 or click here to schedule an evaluation with a physical therapist today!
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