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Knee Anatomy and Injuries
Knee Anatomy and Injuries
Knee Anatomy and Injuries
Sports Medicine
Mr. Smith
Mechanics of the Knee
• Hinge Joint
• Knee movement
– Flexion
– Extension
– Slight Rotation
– Gliding
• Knee stability
depends on
ligaments, joint
capsule, and muscles.
Joint Capsule
• Medial and lateral
condyles
• Medial condyle is
longer than the lateral
condyle.
• Trochlea – groove
that receives the
patella.
• Articular cartilage
• Tibial plateau
• Tibial plateau has two
shallow concavities
(facets) that articulate
with the medial and
lateral condyles.
• Tibial tuberosity
• Main weight bearing bone
(95 – 97%).
• Largest sesamoid
bone in the body.
• Articulates in the
groove between the
femoral condyles.
• Provides a better line
of pull for the
quadricep muscles.
• Lateral collateral
ligament and muscle
attachment.
• Non – Weight bearing
bone.
• Located on lateral
aspect.
• Minimal knee
function.
• Femur and tibia
• Femur and patella
• Tibia and fibula
• Attachment: femur –
intersurface of lateral
condyle.
• Attachment: Tibia –
Anterior tibial
plateau.
• Prevents excessive
anterior movement
and internal rotation
of the tibia.
• Extension / Tight
• Flexion / Relaxed
• Very vascular
• Usually surgically
replaced if torn.
• Attachment: Femur -
Anterior portion of the
lateral surface of the
medial condyle.
• Tibia – Posterior medial
tibial plateau.
• Prevents excessive
posterior movement of
the tibia on the femur.
• Prevents hyperextension
of the knee
• Attachment: Femur –
superior epicondyle.
• Tibia – Medial aspect /
medial meniscus.
• Resists valgus forces.
• Lachman’s Test
Anterior Drawer Test
• Positive sign is
increase in anterior
translation. (No end
point)
Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Tests
• Lachman’s Test: is considered to be a
better test than the drawer test at 90 degrees
of flexion.
Lachman’s Tests
• Positive sign is
increased
anterior tibial
translation. (No
end point)
Posterior Cruciate Ligament
Tests
• Posterior Drawer Test: is performed
with the knee flexed at 90 degrees and
the foot in neutral position. Force is
exerted in a posterior direction at the
proximal tibial plateau. A positive
posterior drawer test indicates damage to
the posterior cruciate ligament.
• Posterior Drawer
- Test for PCL
instability/laxity
• Positive sign is
posterior
movement of the
tibia.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament
Tests
• Posterior Sag Test: With the athlete
supine, both knees are flexed to 9-
degrees. Observing laterally on the
injured side, the tibia will appear to sag
posteriorly when compared to the
opposite extremity if the posterior cruciate
ligament is damaged.
Prevention of Knee Injuries
• Shoe Type:
– Cleat Length
– Astro Turf shoes: more grip=more injuries
– Sneakers are good for artificial surfaces
Functional and Prophylactic
Knee Braces