Table of Contents
More About Knee
Replacement
Knee replacement surgery, also called knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure to replace the weight-bearing surfaces of the knee joint to relieve pain and disability. It is most commonly performed for osteoarthritis, a condition in which the cartilage on the ends of the bones that form the knee joint wears down over time.
Knee Structure
The knee is a hinge joint that connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). It is a complex joint that is made up of four bones: the femur, the tibia, the patella (kneecap), and the fibula. The femur and the tibia are the two largest bones in the knee. The kneecap sits in front of the joint and helps to protect it. The fibula is the small bone on the outside of the knee.
The knee joint is a synovial joint. This means that it is a movable joint that is enclosed in a capsule. The capsule is filled with synovial fluid, which helps to lubricate and cushion the joint. The knee joint is surrounded by a ligamentous capsule. This means that it is surrounded by ligaments, which are bands of tissue that connect bones to other bones. The knee has four major ligaments: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), the medial collateral ligament (MCL), and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL).
The ACL is a ligament that runs diagonally across the front of the knee. It helps to keep the knee joint stable. The PCL is a ligament that runs diagonally across the back of the knee. It helps to keep the knee joint stable. The MCL is
Articulating Surfaces of the Knee
The knee is a hinge joint that connects the femur (thigh bone) with the tibia (shin bone). The knee joint is composed of three bones: the femur, the tibia, and the patella (kneecap). The articular surfaces of the knee joint are covered with cartilage, which allows the bones to move smoothly against each other. The cartilage is lubricated by a synovial fluid that helps to reduce friction and wear.
The femur and the tibia are the two largest bones in the knee joint. The femur is convex, or curved outward, while the tibia is concave, or curved inward. The femur and the tibia form a groove in which the patella rests. The patella is a small, triangular bone that sits in front of the knee joint. The patella is attached to the quadriceps muscle, which is the large muscle on the front of the thigh. The patella slides up and down the groove between the femur and the tibia as the knee bends and straightens.
The articular surfaces of the knee joint are covered with a smooth layer of cartilage. This cartilage allows the bones to move smoothly against each other and helps to reduce friction and wear. The cartilage is lubricated by a synovial fluid that helps to reduce friction and wear. The synovial fluid also provides nutrition to the
Articular Capsule of the Knee Structure
The articular capsule of the knee is a thick band of connective tissue that surrounds the knee joint. It is composed of dense regular connective tissue and is attached to the bones around the joint. The capsule helps to stabilize the joint and protect it from injury.
Bursae
are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion and lubricate joints. They are found in many places throughout the body, but are most common around the joints in the hips, knees, and elbows. Bursitis is a condition in which these sacs become inflamed and swollen.
Menisci
are crescent-shaped cartilage discs located between the tibia and femur in the knee joint. They act as shock absorbers and help to distribute weight evenly across the joint. The menisci also help to stabilize the knee joint and keep the bones from rubbing against each other.
There are two menisci in each knee, one on the inside of the joint and one on the outside. The menisci are attached to the bones by a network of ligaments. The outer meniscus is more susceptible to injury than the inner meniscus because it is less protected.
The meniscus can be injured by a sudden twisting motion, such as in a football game, or by a direct hit to the knee. Symptoms of a meniscus injury include pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the knee. Meniscus tears can usually be diagnosed with a physical examination and an MRI scan.
Treatment for a meniscus tear depends on the severity of the injury. Non-surgical treatments include rest, ice, and compression. If the tear is severe, surgery may be necessary to repair the meniscus.
Neurovascular Supply
The neurovascular supply to the brain is a complex system that includes arteries, veins, and capillaries. The arteries that supply the brain are called the carotid arteries, and they originate in the heart. The carotid arteries split into two branches, the internal carotid arteries and the external carotid arteries. The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior (front) portion of the brain, and the external carotid arteries supply blood to the posterior (back) portion of the brain. The veins that drain blood from the brain are called the sinuses, and they collect blood from the various arteries that supply the brain. The sinuses drain into the jugular veins, which return blood to the heart. The capillaries that supply the brain are called the pial capillaries. These capillaries are very thin and they are located in the brain’s outermost layer, the meninges.
Ligaments
The ligaments are tough, fibrous tissues that connect bones to other bones.
There are four major ligaments in the knee:
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is located in the middle of the knee. It connects the front of the thighbone (femur) to the back of the shinbone (tibia). The ACL helps keep the knee stable.
The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is located in the back of the knee. It connects the back of the thighbone to the front of the shinbone. The PCL helps keep the knee stable.
The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is located on the inside of the knee. It connects the thighbone to the shinbone. The MCL helps keep the knee stable.
The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is located on the outside of the knee. It connects the thighbone to the shinbone. The LCL helps keep the knee stable.
Movements in the Knee Structure
There are many different movements that can occur in the knee structure. Some of these movements are listed below.
Flexion: This is the movement that brings the knee joint closer to the body. It is typically caused by the contraction of the hamstring muscles.
Extension: This is the movement that pushes the knee joint away from the body. It is typically caused by the contraction of the quadriceps muscles.
Pronation: This is the rotation of the foot so that the sole of the foot faces inward.
Supination: This is the rotation of the foot so that the sole of the foot faces outward.
