Discover the internal functioning of the right knee in this article that explores its complex anatomy and functions.

The right knee is a complex joint that allows various movements and provides stability and flexibility to the lower limb. Composed of bones, ligaments, tendons and cartilage, the knee joint plays a crucial role in supporting the weight of our body and facilitating activities such as walking, running and jumping. Understanding the anatomy of the right knee is essential to diagnose and treat various injuries and kne e-related conditions.

• Right knee bones: The knee joint is formed by the thre e-bone joint: the femur (thigh bone), the tibia (bone of the pimp) and the kneecap (bruit). The distal ends of the femur and the proximal end of the tibia are joined to form the main knee joint, while the kneecap is located at the front, protecting the joint and allowing a soft movement.
• Right knee ligaments: Several ligaments provide stability to the knee joint, preventing excessive movement and guiding its amplitude of movement. Among them are the anterior cross ligament (LCA), the posterior cruciate ligament (LCP), the medial collateral ligament (LCM) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL).

Important note: Damage to knee ligaments, such as the breakage of the LCA, can significantly affect the stability and functionality of the knee. In these cases, it is essential to receive immediate medical care and adequate treatment.

1. Right knee tendons: The tendons are fibrous and resistant conjunctive tissues that connect the muscles to the bones. In the right knee, the important tendons include the quadriceps tendon, which connects the quadriceps muscle to the kneecap, and the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap to the tibia.

In addition to bones, ligaments and tendons, the knee joint also contains cartilage. The meniscos, fibrochalaginous discs in the form of C, act as shock absorbers between the femur and the tibia, distributing the forces and providing stability to the joint. The joint cartilage covers the ends of the bones, reducing friction and allowing a soft movement within the knee joint.

The Structure and Function of the Knee Joint

Anatomy of the knee joint: The knee joint consists of three main components: the femur (thigh bone), the tibia (bone of the spin) and the bruneten (bustle). These bones form the basis of the joint structure, providing support and protection of underlying tissues. In addition, the knee joint contains cartilage, which acts as a shock absorber and reduces friction between the bones during the movement.

Note: The knee joint is classified as a hinge joint, which allows movement mainly in a plane, although it also has some rotation capacity.

Ligaments and Tendons:

The ligaments are strong bands of connective tissue that keep the bones together, providing stability to the knee joint. The knee has four main ligaments: the anterior cross ligament (LCA), the posterior cruciate ligament (LCP), the medial collateral ligament (LCM) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). These ligaments prevent excessive movement, guaranteeing the proper functioning of the joint.

The tendons, on the other hand, connect the muscles to the bones that surround the knee joint. The quadriceps tendon connects the quadriceps muscles with the kneecap, while the patellar tendon connects the kneecap with the tibia. These tendons play a vital role in the transmission of the force generated by the muscles to the bones, allowing movement and stability.

1. The anterior cruciate ligament (LCA) prevents movement forward and provides rotational stability to the knee joint.
2. The posterior cross ligament (LCP) prevents the backward movement of the tibia and works together with the LCA to maintain stability.
3. The medial collateral ligament (LCM) provides stability in the inner face of the knee, preventing it from bending inside.
4. The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) provides stability on the outer side of the knee, preventing it from bending out.

The bones and ligaments of the right knee

Bones:

• The femur, commonly known as the thigh bone, is the longest and strongest bone in the human body. It forms the top of the knee joint and connects to the hip joint above.
• The tibia, also called the shinbone, is the larger and stronger of the two bones in the lower leg. It forms the bottom of the knee joint and connects to the ankle joint below.
• The kneecap is a small triangular bone located in front of the knee joint. It acts as a protective shield for the joint and serves as leverage for the muscles involved in knee movement.

Ligaments:

1. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is located deep in the knee joint and prevents the femur from sliding forward or rotating too much on the tibia. It also helps stabilize the knee during twisting movements.
2. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is located behind the ACL and also contributes to the stability of the knee joint. It prevents the femur from sliding backwards on the tibia.
3. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is located on the inside of the knee joint and provides stability by preventing excessive side-to-side movement. Connects the femur to the tibia.
4. The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is located on the outside of the knee joint and provides stability by preventing excessive side-to-side movement. It connects the femur to the fibula, the smallest bone in the lower leg.

Understanding the anatomy of the bones and ligaments of the right knee is crucial to diagnosing and treating various knee injuries and conditions. Any alteration or damage to these structures can cause pain, instability and limited mobility. Therefore, a thorough knowledge of knee anatomy is essential for medical professionals specializing in orthopedics and sports medicine.

The Muscles and Tendons Surrounding the Right Knee

Quadriceps femoris: One of the main muscle groups responsible for knee extension is the quadriceps femoris. It consists of four individual muscles: rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius. These powerful muscles converge at the kneecap and extend into the patellar tendon, which attaches to the tibial bone. The quadriceps femoris plays a vital role in activities such as walking, running and jumping.

Fun fact: The quadriceps femoris is the strongest and thickest muscle group in the body.

Isquiotibial: located on the back of the thigh, the hamstrings consist of three separate muscles: femoral biceps, semitendinous and semimembranoso. These muscles help in knee flexion and work in harmony with femoral quadriceps to stabilize the knee joint during the movement.

• Femoral biceps: It is the largest and most powerful muscle of the hamstrings. It originates in ischiatic tuberosity and joins the head of the fibula.
• Semitendinous and sem i-manufacturer: these two muscles originate in ischiatic tuberosity and are inserted into the tibia. They play a fundamental role in knee flexion and hip extension.

These muscles and tendons surround the right knee are essential to maintain stability and allow a wide range of movements. Any imbalance or injury to these structures can cause knee pain, limited mobility and functional disorders.

The Role of the Meniscus in the Right Knee

The main function of the right knee meniscus is to distribute the load evenly throughout the joint. It acts as a shock absorber, reducing the pressure exerted on the joint cartilage, which covers the ends of the femur and the tibia. This helps avoid friction and wear between bones, guaranteeing a soft and painless movement. In addition, the meniscus increases the stability of the joint by improving the congruence between the femur and the tibia, thus minimizing the risk of displacement or dislocation of the bones.

It is important to keep in mind that any damage or meniscus injury can significantly affect the general function and stability of the right knee.

• Meniscos serve as shock absorbers, dissipating the forces generated during activities such as walking, running and jumping.
• They also contribute to the lubrication of the joint facilitating the distribution of synovial fluid, which nourishes the cartilage and reduces friction between the bones.

1. The medial meniscus is located on the inner face of the knee joint, while the side meniscus is located on the outer face.
2. Both meniscos are attached to the tibia and have limited blood irrigation, so they are prone to injuries, especially in areas with little vascularization.

Anatomy of the Menisci in the Right Knee

Common injuries and conditions affecting the right knee

1. Sprains and ligament breaks: One of the most frequent lesions that affect the right knee is the twist or ligament breakage. The strong fabric bands that connect the bones or keep the joints together, the ligaments, can be damaged due to sudden torsion or rotation movements. The four main ligaments of the knee are the anterior cross ligament (LCA), the posterior cross ligament (LCP), the medial collateral ligament (LCM) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). The usual symptoms of ligament lesions are pain, swelling, instability and limitation of movement amplitude.

• LCA: The LCA usually gets injured in sports or activities that involve sudden stops or changes of direction. It can be broken partially or totally, causing significant instability in the knee joint.
• LCP: The LCP is injured less frequently than the LCA and is usually produced by a direct impact on the front of the knee, as in a car accident or in certain sports activities.
• LCM: The LCM is prone to injure due to a direct blow to the outer face of the knee. It is usually affected in contact sports, such as football or rugby.
• LCL: The LCL is the ligament that is injured less frequently, normally as a consequence of a strong blow on the inside of the knee or a torsion movement.

I knew it? According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, approximately 200, 000 LCA lesions are produced every year in the United States, and some 95, 000 reconstructive surgeries of the LCA are carried out every year.

Treatment options for right knee problems

1. Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy is often prescribed as a conservative treatment option for right knee problems. It consists of a combination of exercises, stretching and manual therapies aimed at improving the strength, flexibility and stability of the knee joint. Physiotherapy can help reduce pain and inflammation, restore movement amplitude and improve the general knee function.

• Physiotherapy can be an effective treatment option for people with mild or moderate knee problems.
• A qualified physiotherapist can develop a personalized treatment plan based on the specific needs and objectives of the patient.
• Regular and constant participation in physiotherapy sessions is essential to obtain optimal results.

2. Medicines: There are several medications available to control pain, inflammation and other symptoms associated with the problems of the right knee. No n-steroidal ant i-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and sodium naproxen, are usually prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation. Corticosteroid injections can also be administered directly in the knee joint to temporarily relieve pain and inflammation.

1. Medications must be taken as prescribed by a healthcare professional to guarantee their safety and efficiency.
2. NSAIDs and corticosteroid injections can have possible side effects and limitations, which must be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.
3. The use of medications is usually combined with other treatment modalities to achieve integral relief and an improvement in knee function.

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Author of the article

Dr.Greenblatt M.

Medical oncologist at the Robert Larner College of Medicine, MD, at the University of Vermont