The Functioning and Anatomy of the Knee
July 2nd, 2009
The Way Knees Work
Two or more bones connected by ligaments make up a joint. The largest joint is the knee. It is composed of three parts:
The patella, which is better-known as the kneecap.
The tibia is the upper end of the shin bone.
The tibia, which is the upper end of the shin bone.
The long muscles located on the anterior of the thigh (quadriceps) play a major part in strengthening the knee.
The surface of bones that touch each other inside a joint is covered with articular cartilage. This is a smooth substance that cushions the bones.
A smooth, thin tissue liner known as synovial membrane covers the rest of the surfaces of the knee joint. This membrane creates a bit of fluid that lubricates the joint so that the bones don't grind against one another.
Why Does Knee Pain Occur?
Sometimes cartilage just gets worn out. When it does, the bones rub against each other and cause friction, swelling, and pain.
Osteoarthritis is a condition that is caused by injury and/or trauma to the knee. The resulting cartilage damage leave bones without a shock absorber. The stress caused by this results in a great deal of pain.
Click here to learn more about total knee replacement.
Ways to Treat Knee Pain
It is possible to treat knee pain with both no steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatories. You can also benefit from cortisone injections, physical therapy, and bracing. However, if you have already given these methods a try and still have not found relief, it is not worth limiting your activities and living with pain. You may want to turn to surgery.
Knee replacement surgery was done for the first time in 1968, and it has been a popular solution to knee pain ever since. It is typically successful and results in the relief of pain and the restoration of knee function. More than a quarter of a million Americans undergo knee replacement surgery every year.
Click here to learn more about partial knee replacement.
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