The knee Flashcards
Describe the joint classification of the knee
Synovial joint with 3 articulations. A bicondylar modified hinge joint between femoral and tibial condyles, menisci attaching to tibial articular surfaces. It contains 2 degrees of movement.
Describe the patella
A sesamoid bone, found within quadriceps tendon and patella tendon. It is triangular shaped with a superior base and inferior apex, containing medial and lateral borders.
What is the function of the patella?
It improves mechanical efficiency of the quadriceps muscle group by:
1) increasing lever arm
2) increasing angular torque
Define the Q angle and state the angle range for men and women
The angle between the quadriceps muscles (esp RF) and the patellla tendon. It’s measured as angle between between line from ASIS to centre patella and line from centre patella to tibial tuberosity.
It represents angle of quadriceps muscle force.
Normal range for men: 13 deg and for women 18 deg.
What’s the term given to abnormal range of the Q angle greater than 18 deg?
Patella lateralisation
What make up the lateral structure of the knee?
Vastus lateralus
Iliotibial band
Lateral retinaculum
Lateral patella-femoral ligament
What muscles and structures make up the popliteal fossa border?
Borders (laterally)
Biceps femoris
Lateral head of gastrocnemius
Borders(medially)
Semimembranosus
Semitendinosus
Medial head gastrocnemius
Floor- popliteal surface of femur
Roof- fascia and skin
What are the contents of the popliteal fossa?
Popliteal artery and vein, common perineal and tibial nerves, lymph nodes and fat
State the knee join Active Range of motion
Flexion
Extension/ hyper ext
Int/ext rotation
What are the limiting factors for flexion of the knee?
Soft tissue apposition, patella tendon, PCL
What are the limiting factors for extension of the knee?
Posterior capsule, ACL, PCL,MECL,LCL, oblique popliteal ligaments, tension in antagonists
