1. The Knee Joint
Deb Risler Jennifer White Fran Moore

2. What Type of Joint is the Knee?
1. The knee joint, also known as the tibiofemoral joint is primarily a hinge
joint.

3. 2.The femur, tibia and the patella articulate to form the tibiofemoral (knee) joint

4. The Normal Range of Flexion and Extension
3. The knee can usually extend to 180 degrees and move from there to about 140 degrees of flexion

5. Q-Angle
4.The angle at the patella formed by the intersection of the line of pull of quadriceps with the line of pull of the patella tendon

6. Ligaments Within the Knee
5.The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament cross within the knee between the tibia and femur

7. Menisci
15. Menisci are located in the knee to absorb shock and prevent friction

8. Femoral Nerve
9. If injury of the Femoral Nerve occurred, Knee Extension would be affected

9. Knee Movements and Planes
Flexion is the action of bending a joint, such as your knee or elbow. The opposite motion is extension, which is the act of straightening a joint, such as the knee when you are standing
7. Flexion and extension occur in the sagittal plane

10. Knee Movements and Planes Cont.
7. Internal and external rotation occur in the horizontal plane
6. The tibiofemoral (knee) joint is sometimes referred as a trochoginglymus joint because of the internal and external rotation movements that can occur during flexion

11. 8.Primary Knee Extensors
Rectus Femoris
Vastus Medialis
Vastus Intermedius
Vastus Lateralis

12. Rectus Femoris
Origin: Anterior inferior iliac spine of the ilium and groove (superior) above the acetabulum.
Insertion: Superior aspect of the patella tendon to the tibial tuberosity.
Action: -Extension of the knee (Sagittal)
-Flexion of the hip (Sagittal)
-Anterior pelvic rotation (Sagittal)
Innervations: Femoral Nerve (L2-L4)

13. Vastus Lateralis (externus)
Origin: Interochanteric line, anterior nad inferior borders of the greater trochanter, gluteal tuberosity, upper ½ of the linea aspera and entire lateral intermuscular septum
Insertion: Lateral border of the patella and patellar tendon to the tibial tuberosity
Action: Extension of the knee (Sagittal)
Innervations: Femoral Nerve (L2-L4)

14. Vastus Medialis (internus)
Origin: Whole length of linea aspera and medial condyloid ridge
Insertion: Medial ½ of upper border of patella and patellar tendon to tibial tuberosity
Action: Extension of the knee (Sagittal)
Innervations: Femoral Nerve (L2-L4)

15. Vastus Intermedius Origin: Upper 2/3 of anterior surface of femur
Insertion: Upper border of patella and patellar tendon to tibial tuberosity
Action: Extension of the knee (Sagittal)
Innervations: Femoral nerve (L2-L4)

16. 14. Primary Knee Flexors Biceps Femoris Semimembranosus Semitendinosus
Popliteus
Sartorius
Gracilis
Gastrocnemius

17. Biceps Femoris Origin: Long head- Ischial tuberosity
Short head- Lower half of the linea aspera, and lateral condyloid ridge
Insertion: Head of the fibula and lateral condyle of the tibia
Action: -Flexion of the knee (Sagittal)
-Extension of the hip (Sagittal)
-Posterior pelvic rotation (Sagittal)
-External rotation of the knee (Transverse)
-External rotation of the hip (Transverse
Innervations: Long head- Sciatic nerve-tibial division (S1-S3)
Short head- Sciatic nerve-peroneal division (L5, S1, S2)

18. Semitendinosus Origin: Ischial tuberosity
Insertion: Upper anterior medial surface of the tibia just below the condyle
Action: -Flexion of the knee (Sagittal)
-Extension of the hip (Sagittal)
-Posterior pelvic rotation (Sagittal)
-Internal rotation of the knee (Transverse)
-Internal rotation of the hip (Transverse)
Innervations: Sciatic nerve- tibial division (L5, S1, S2)

19. Semimembranosus Origin: Ischial tuberosity
Insertion: Posteromedial surface of the medial tibial condyle
Action: -Flexion of the knee (Sagittal)
-Extension of the hip (Sagittal)
-Posterior pelvic rotation (Sagittal)
-Internal rotation of the knee (Transverse)
-Internal rotation of the hip (Transverse)
Innervations: Sciatic nerve- tibial division (L5, S1, S2)

20. Popliteus Origin: Posterior surface of the lateral condyle of femur
Insertion: Upper posterior medial surface of the tibia
Action: -Internal rotation of the knee as it flexes (Transverse)
-Flexion of the knee (Sagittal)
Innervations: Tibial nerve (L5, S1)

21. Biceps Femoris
10.Contracture of biceps femoris would lead to loss of: -Extension of the knee

22. 11. This diagram is representing the Valgus strain applied in knee joint. If the intensity of this strain is increased suddenly then the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and/or posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are likely to be injured

23. Posterior Cruciate Ligament
12. The diagram represents the posterior cruciate ligament tear.
This is a very rare injury and usually come about through direct contact with an opponent or with the playing surface.

24. 13. Anatomy of the Knee