Knee Joint

The knee joint is essentially a hinge joint capable of flexion and extension. Ligaments join your thigh bone (femur) to the leg bones (tibia and fibula). Cruciate ligaments cross each other on the inside. On the outside of the joint you’ll find collateral ligaments. Ligaments are tough, fibrous bundles which are strong but only slightly elastic.

The knee joint has three parts. The thigh bone (the femur) meets the large shin bone (the tibia) to form the main knee joint. This joint has an inner (medial) and an outer (lateral) compartment. The kneecap (the patella) joins the femur to form a third joint, called the patellofemoral joint. The patella protects the front of the knee joint.

Two C-shaped disks of cartilage (menisci) sit on top of the tibia, the large leg bone, and act as shock absorbers. There’s a thin coating called articular cartilage on the end of the femur and tibia that's in contact with the menisci. As well as absorbing shock, cartilage prevents wear because it reduces friction.

Knee joint aspiration and injection are performed to aid in diagnosis and treatment of knee joint diseases. The knee joint is the most common and the easiest joint for the physician to aspirate. The knee needs to be examined systematically, since so much can go wrong with the knee, and so many signs and symptoms may be produced, that only a systematic technique will ensure that nothing of importance is missed.

Knee Joint Replacement Overview

The procedure of knee joint replacement is called a total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This surgery involves replacing your knee joint with a manmade one. Doctors may replace your knee joint to end pain, stiffness, and loss of function.