The usual cause is abnormal movement of the kneecap as the knee is bent and straightened. Squatting, walking up and down hills or stairs, or sitting still for extended periods of time can exacerbate the pain. Patello-femoral pain syndrome is characterised by pain felt behind the kneecap. The damaged cartilage can be surgically trimmed or even removed without causing any joint instability. Symptoms include swelling, pain and the inability to straighten the leg. Tears of the meniscus can also occur in older people due to wear and tear. Severe impact or twisting, especially during weight bearing exercise, can tear this cartilage. One of the most common knee injuries is a torn or split meniscus. The knee joint is bolstered on both sides by additional strips of cartilage, called ‘menisci’ or semilunar cartilages. Overstretched tendons can tear and bleed, but these injuries tend to heal by themselves without the need for surgery. The muscles are anchored to the joints with tendons. A ruptured ACL does not heal by itself and may require reconstructive surgery. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) situated in the centre of the joint is the knee ligament commonly injured. Torn ligaments can bleed into the knee and typically cause swelling, pain and joint laxity. Sudden twists or excessive force on the knee joint, commonly caused by repeated jumping or coming to a rapid halt while running, can stretch ligaments beyond their capacity. The knee joint is held together by tough bands of connective tissue called ligaments. Extra capsules of fluid, known as bursae, offer extra cushioning. The entire joint is enclosed inside a tough capsule lined with a membrane and filled with lubricating synovial fluid. The bones are held in place by tough bands of connective tissue called ligaments. The joint is further bolstered on each side by additional cartilages, which sit in between the knee joint. The end of the femur rests in the shallow cup of the tibia, cushioned by a thick layer of cartilage.Īt the front of the knee joint, the kneecap or patella sits in a groove at the lower end of the femur.
Contraction of the muscles on the front of the thigh (quadriceps) straightens the leg, while contraction of the muscles on the back of the thigh (the hamstrings) allows the leg to bend at the knee.
The knee is a hinge joint, situated between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bones (tibia and fibula). Treatment options include physiotherapy, arthroscopic surgery and open surgery.
Prompt medical attention for any knee injury increases the chances of a full recovery. Common knee injuries include ligament, tendon and cartilage tears, and patello-femoral pain syndrome. Awkward movements, falls and collisions, sudden twists, excessive force or overuse can result in a range of injuries to the knee joint and the structures supporting it.