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Knee Joint

Knee Joint

The knee joint is the most complicated joint in the body. It consists of three articulations– two tibiofemoral and one patellofemoral. As is characteristic of synovial joints, the knee joint has a thin articular capsule that partially surrounds this joint cavity. Additionally, several ligaments, muscles, and cartilaginous structures support the movement of the knee.
A total of seven ligaments support the knee joint. The patellar ligament, which is also attached to the quadriceps femoris group...

Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella

Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella

The femur is the body's longest and strongest bone spanning the thigh region. Its head articulates with the acetabulum of the hip bone to form the hip joint. A minor indentation on the medial side of the femoral head, called the fovea capitis, serves as the site of attachment for the ligament of the head of the femur. This weak ligament spans the femur and acetabulum and supports the hip joint. The narrowed region below the head is the neck of the femur. The inclination angle between the neck...

Ankle Joint

Ankle Joint

The ankle is formed by the talocrural joint (crural = leg). It consists of the articulations between the talus bone of the foot and the distal ends of the tibia and fibula of the leg. The superior aspect of the talus bone is square-shaped and has three areas of articulation. The top of the talus articulates with the inferior tibia. This is the portion of the ankle joint that carries the body weight between the leg and foot. The sides of the talus are firmly held in position by the articulations...

Muscles that Move the Leg

Muscles that Move the Leg

The movement of the legs is facilitated by numerous muscles located within the anterior, medial, and posterior compartments of the thigh.
Anterior Compartment
The quadriceps femoris, the most visible muscle of the anterior compartment, is integral for leg extension and thigh flexion. It is formed by merging four distinct muscles — the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, and rectus femoris. The quadriceps tendon, a shared tendon of the four quadriceps muscles, is affixed to...

Bones of the Lower Limb: Tibia and Fibula

Bones of the Lower Limb: Tibia and Fibula

The tibia is the main weight-bearing bone of the lower leg. It is larger than the fibula with which it is paired. The tibia is also the second longest bone in the body and is located right below the skin. The proximal end of the tibia forms the medial and the lateral condyle, which articulates with the condyles of the femur to form the knee joint. Between the articulating surfaces is the irregular elevated area known as the intercondylar eminence that serves as the inferior attachment point for...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection and Synovial Fluid Lavage in a Rodent Model to Study Joint Inflammation and Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection and Synovial Fluid Lavage in a Rodent Model to Study Joint Inflammation and Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis

Published on: September 2, 2025

[Knee ligament injuries].

H Behrend¹, G Stutz, H Bäthis

¹Klinik für Orthopädische Chirurgie und Traumatologie des Bewegungsapparates, Kantonsspital St. Gallen. henrik.behrend@kssg.ch

|November 23, 2006

Summary

Knee ligament injuries can cause instability, leading to further joint damage. Diagnosis involves history, physical exams, and imaging, with treatments ranging from conservative care to surgery for optimal knee stability.

Area of Science:

Orthopedics
Sports Medicine
Biomechanics

Background:

The knee joint relies heavily on intact ligaments for stability.
Ligament injuries lead to abnormal joint kinematics and secondary damage.
Knee instability significantly impacts joint function and long-term health.

Purpose of the Study:

To outline the diagnostic approaches for knee ligament injuries.
To describe the spectrum of knee ligament injuries and their management.
To emphasize the importance of anatomical ligament reconstruction for joint stability.

Main Methods:

Detailed patient history, focusing on typical injury patterns.
Physical examination utilizing specific knee ligament tests.
Radiological evaluation to aid in diagnosis.

More Related Videos

Surgical Retrieval, Isolation and In vitro Expansion of Human Anterior Cruciate Ligament-derived Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications

Surgical Retrieval, Isolation and In vitro Expansion of Human Anterior Cruciate Ligament-derived Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications

Published on: April 30, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection and Synovial Fluid Lavage in a Rodent Model to Study Joint Inflammation and Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection and Synovial Fluid Lavage in a Rodent Model to Study Joint Inflammation and Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis

Published on: September 2, 2025

Surgical Retrieval, Isolation and In vitro Expansion of Human Anterior Cruciate Ligament-derived Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications

Surgical Retrieval, Isolation and In vitro Expansion of Human Anterior Cruciate Ligament-derived Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications

Published on: April 30, 2014

Main Results:

Knee ligament injuries present a wide spectrum, from isolated medial collateral ligament ruptures to knee dislocations.
Isolated medial collateral ligament ruptures often heal with conservative treatment.
Knee dislocations are severe injuries requiring immediate care and carry a high risk of complications.

Conclusions:

Accurate diagnosis of knee ligament injuries is crucial for appropriate management.
Treatment strategies vary based on injury severity, ranging from conservative to surgical.
Anatomical reconstruction of knee ligaments is key to achieving long-term joint stability.