Arthrology: Knee

Question 1

Tibiofemoral joint type

Answer 1

bicondylar/hinge

Question 2

Menisci

Answer 2

Absorb shock, decrease friction, increase contact area

Hoop stress - distributes forces

Medial meniscus = “C”, larger
- attached to MCL and semimembranosus

Lateral meniscus = “O”,

Question 3

Tibiofemoral morphology

Answer 3

Tibia = concave
Femur = convex

Tibial ER into end range extension (screw-home)
- increased stability to knee through bony congruency and ligamentous tension

Question 4

Meniscal tear

Answer 4

Healing capacity is vascularity and age dependent

Blood flow greatest in periph 1/3

Femoral condyle imparts a sheer force to meniscus in WB beyond 115-120 deg knee flexion (deep squat)

Hamstring contraction tugs on posterior horn of meniscus

Question 5

Patellofemoral joint type

Answer 5

plane/gliding

posterior surface covered w/ thick hyaline cartilage

slides w/in trochlear groove (depth = stability; lateral patella protrudes anterior)

compressive forces increase w/ knee flexion and quad force production

Question 6

patellofemoral flexion arthrokinematics

Answer 6

inferior glide

Question 7

patellofemoral extension arthrokinematics

Answer 7

superior glide

Question 8

Patellar instability

Answer 8

MPFL or retinacular deficiency

Shallow trochlear groove

Flat patella

Patella alta

Question 9

Proximal tibiofibular joint type

Answer 9

planar

Question 10

PTFJ extension arthrokinematics

Answer 10

posterior glide

Question 11

PTFJ flexion arthrokinematics

Answer 11

anterior glide

Question 12

Tibiofibular dislocation

Answer 12

Consider structures attaching to fibular head

LCL
Popliteus m.
Fibularis longus
Biceps femoris

Question 13

Innervation

Answer 13

femoral n.