The Knee

Structure and fuction

The knee is the joint that connects the thigh to the leg. It is a crucial part chain of movement that directs gait and supports body weight, enabling you to extend, bend and rotate your leg. Thus, it is a core and complex joint comprised by structures that work together as a unit: 

• Bones: femur (thigh), patella (knee cap), tibia and fibula (leg)
• Articular cartilage: a white, shiny layer that covers all bone articular surfaces, reducing friction between bones and supporting load
• Ligaments: structures that act as passive stabilisers, being the most relevant the cruciate and collateral ligaments
• Meniscus: two “C-shaped” structures that absorb load, and provide congruency between the femur and tibia
• Muscles and tendons: provide movement to the joint and also active stabilisation, being the most relevant the quadriceps (straightens the knee) and the hamstrings (bends the knee)

Damage to one of these structures may cause symptoms or overload others. These can occur due to a traumatic event, overuse, or degenerative changes.