Knee Eval and Treat

why is the knee one of the most injured joints in the body

there is a high weight bearing load and it also requires a lot of stability and mobility

joints in the knee joint capsule

tibiofemoral and patellofemoral

characteristics of the condyles of the femur

medial is larger, curvier, and projects further distally

rotation of the tibia that occurs at knee extension

external rotation

importance of tibial slope

a slope larger than 10 degrees makes it easier to slide and harder on the ACL

characteristics of the proximal part of the tibia

flat condyles separated by intercondylar eminence, medial tibial plateau in longer in the AP direction

force changes with knee malalignment

valgus: lateral compression, varus: medial compression

functions of menisci

improve joint congruency, distribute WB forces, reduce friction, shock absorbing

function of mechanoreceptors in the joint capsule

stability

patellar plica

synovial folds not absorbed during the development

bursa in the knee joint capsule

suprapatellar, subpopliteal, gastrocnemius bursa are connected

load on knee in OKC exercises

increased load at extension

load on knee in CKC exercises

increased load at flexion

components of patellofemoral joint stress

knee joint flexion angle, quad force, amount of weight bearing

load comparison between quad and patellar tendon

loaded very similarly

how is knee extension achieved in weight bearing

glute max contracts to bring the femur back and soleus contracts to bring the tibia back

type of exercise that isolates the quads

open kinetic chain extension