Anatomy Of The Knee And Why It Is Prone

The knee is one of the most vulnerable areas of the body when it comes to sustaining injury. The anatomy of the knee is what keeps knee surgeons busy repairing damage that occurs from falls, hits, twisting, or rotating beyond its acceptable range of motion. The femur, patella and tibia are the bones that make up the structure of the knee. Four main ligaments connect the bones, including the medial collateral, lateral collateral, posterior cruciate and anterior cruciate (ACL) with the latter being the most frequently damaged.
Tears of the ACL are responsible for sending many athletes to knee surgeons each year for repairs. This ligament runs diagonally across the middle of the knee to hold the tibia in place and prevent it from sliding out over the femur. It also adds stability to the knee when the joint is rotated. While tears can also occur to the medial collateral ligament or posterior cruciate ligament, those to the ACL are both more frequent and often more severe.
Causes of ACL and PCL Injuries
Athletes are more susceptible to ACL injuries because of the pressure and frequent turning motions they go through during sports play. Suddenly twisting or changing direction can cause damage. The posterior cruciate ligament, on the other hand, is more likely to become injured because of a direct blow on the outside of the knee.
Injuries to Menisci
The menisci are the cartilage inside the knee that causes weight to be distributed evenly across the joint. Knee surgeons also treat meniscal injuries that include tearing of the wedge-shaped cartilage, often from twisting the knee. These injuries may also occur in combination with ligament injuries. If not repaired, these injuries significantly increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis later in life.