Parts of the Knee Joint That Are Usually Affected in an Injury
The knee is the largest joint of the body. However, it is one of the most susceptible to injury. An injury to this joint can be debilitating. This is because it plays an important role in weight bearing and locomotion. Knee pain can be the most telling sign of a knee injury. When this happens, one of the four main parts of knee may be injured. To find out what treatment plan is best for you, you should consult a knee specialist singapore. This way, your road to a fast recovery will be ensured.
Here are the parts of the knee that are usually involved in a knee injury
Bones
The knee joint is composed of three bones namely, the femur or thigh bone, tibia or shin bone, and the patella or knee cap. During a collision or fall, the patella is the part of the knee that is fractured. This is because it is the outermost part of the joint. It serves as the shield of the joint. The same also happens if a blunt force is applied to the knee area.
With a knee dislocation, the lower end of the femur and the upper tip of the tibia are forcefully moved out of their correct places. When a massive impact is applied to knee, such as during a collision, fall, or auto accident, it can lead to a knee dislocation.
Ligaments
There are four major ligament in the knee joint which include the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). Ligament injury in the knee is common among athletes. When the knee is forced to overextend or moved in a manner that it does not naturally do, these ligaments can be strained or torn. It can cause an extremely painful experience.
Cartilage
The lower tip of the femur and upper end of the tibia are covered with cartilage. The same is true with the back of the patella. This allows smooth gliding between these structures during movement. They are also provide the shock absorption capacity of the bone. Injury to the theses structures can be caused by jumping, twisting, or wear and tear.
Tendons
Tendons are connective tissues that connect muscles to bones. When it comes to the knee, the most affected tendons during injury are the quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon. Tendon injury can happen to any individual who runs and jumps. Overextension and falls can also cause tendon injury in your joints.