Knee Bracing

The Knee Joint

The knee joint is not just a straight forward hinge joint , it has 2 main planes of movement:-

Flexion and Extension = Bending and Extending your knee joint.

Rotation = The tibia also rotates from externally rotated when at full extension, then rotates internally on the femur as the knee bends into flexion.

Having congruent , stable and pain-free range of motion at the knee, is pertinent to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Most commonly, overuse, age, weight gain and traumatic injuries can cause structural damage to the knee that can inhibit its function.

A thorough understanding of knee anatomy and function, is essential to efficiently diagnosing and treating knee pathology.

Knee Stability

Knee stability is crucial to long term function.

There are many structures at the knee working synergistically to provide support to the knee articulation.

Ligaments

Cruciate Ligaments

Probably the best known of the knee ligaments are the ACL and PCL , These two ligaments form an X within the centre of the knee joint connecting the Tibia and the femoral head.

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) attaches from the back of the femur and attaches towards the front of the tibia therefor stopping the Tibia drifting forward from the femur.

The Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) originates slightly forward of centre on the femur and attaches posteriorly on the tibia therefor supports the knee by stopping the tibia dislocating towards the back of the knee joint.

Collateral Ligaments

Collateral Ligaments attach on either side of the knee joint. They provide stability against lateral and medial forces placed upon the knee.

Lateral Collateral runs on the outside of the joint from the bump on the outside of the distal femur (Lateral Epicondyle) and connects to the head of the fibula where it merges forming one tendonus connection with the hamstring muscle named biceps femoris.

Medial collateral is a flat band of tissue that bridges between the bump on the inside of the femur close to the knee(Medial Epicondyle) and inserts

Patellar Ligament

The patellar ligament attaches one of the strongest muscle complexes of the body Quadriceps femoris to the lower part of your leg where it inserts on the tibial tuberosity (this is the bump on the tibia just under your patella).

Muscles

Gastrocnemius

The gastrocnemius is a strong plantar flexor of the ankle but plays a stability role at the knee. It is very effective in preventing knee joint hyperextension in its role as a dynamic stabiliser at the knee joint.