Knee
The knee is the joint that connects the thigh with the leg. Supports the weight of the body and keeps the balance (so you should provide stability) and, both, walk, run, up or down stairs, sit and guide the foot on uneven surfaces (therefore reaches high mobility). It is essential for moving.
Its main movements are flexion and extension. And rotation, inwards and outwards
How the knee works? The rough, functions similarly to a hinge (more complex because it has some rotation) joining two bones, femur (thighbone) and tibia (leg bone). The ends of the bones are covered with cartilage, as a buffer and prevents the friction between them.
What is formed knee?
The bony part is formed by the femur (thighbone), the tibia (shinbone) and patella (patella). The muscles drive the motion of the knee and leg. And tendons attach muscles to bones.
The femur is thighbone, to the major ligaments of the knee are anchored.
The ends of the femur present two forms rounded, calls cóndilos, smooth surface facilitates the movement of the meniscus.
The fibula is the bone where the lateral ligaments are anchored and hamstring (tendon).
• The knee is lined with a synovial membrane. The synovial membrane produces a fluid that lubricates and nourishes the joint inside.
• El cartilage smooth articular surface is found at the end of the femur and tibia. When this area is damaged, occurs at artritis.
Ligaments son soft tissues that provide stability to the knee, help control the movement uniting the bones of the knee.
The ACL is located in the center of the knee joint and extends from the lateral condyle of the femur (thighbone) until the tibia (leg bone), through the center of the knee. The ACL prevents the tibia from moving forward relative to the femur, also slows the excessive internal rotation of the tibia relative to the femur. When one of these ligaments are severely damaged, knee loses stability by putting the foot down, the knee bends and yields.
The PCL prevents the femur is too far away from the tibia. Provides a central axis around which the knee. Usually much less than the injured anterior cruciate (LCA).
The lateral ligaments complement stability, keep the knee to deflect inward or outward.
Main problems of the knee
The knee is a vulnerable joint to injury, some require surgery and others can be solved without it. Knee injuries are the most common reason that an orthopedic surgeon goes. Athletes often suffer injuries to the ligaments of the knee. Of the four major ligaments, the anterior cruciate ligament (LCA) y el medial ligament Colateral (LCM) are those typically in sports injury. Injury to the posterior cruciate ligament (LCP) is less frequent.
• ACL Injury (LCA) A sharp change in direction, slam on the brakes while running or landing from a jump may cause tears in the anterior cruciate ligament.
• Injury to the LCL (WHERE) The lateral collateral ligament injuries generally cause a force or torque to open the outside of the knee. Such injuries are common in contact sports.
• cruciate ligament injury it later (LCP) The posterior cruciate ligament is injured when a person receives a blow to the front of the knee or bumps.
• Torn cartilage The meniscus is a tough, rubbery cartilage that is attached to the ligaments of the knee and acts as a buffer. In sports, the meniscus can tear round, pivotar, stop or get a Lock. Often meniscal injuries are the result of direct contact. >Meniscus transplant
• Artritis. The osteoarthritis of Rodilla or osteoarthritis is the most final stage of deterioration of the articular cartilage, You can reach it by several mechanisms (obesity, trauma, genetic ...). When medical treatments fail (weight loss, NSAIDs, condroprotectores, download canes, modification of the march…) should go to joint replacements.