Problems with the knee afflict many people and are a common cause for visiting an orthopaedic physician for treatment. The knee is comprised of a variety of components making it susceptible to numerous injuries. While many injuries and problems can be treated by rehabilitation and non-surgical methods, more severe issues or persistent chronic pain may have to be addressed by several different surgeries including total knee replacement.

How does the knee work?
The knee is comprised of the femur and tibia bones which meet to form a hinge joint. The front of the hinge joint is protected by the patella (kneecap). The joint is cushioned by articular cartilage that covers the ends of the femur and tibia as well as the underside of the patella. The lateral meniscus and medial meniscus are pads of cartilage that further cushion the joint, acting as shock absorbers between the bones.

The ligaments help stabilize the knee. The collateral ligaments run along the sides of the knee and limit excessive motion to either side. The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, connects the tibia to the femur at the center of the knee to limit forward slipping of the tibia. The posterior cruciate ligament, or PCL (located behind the ACL) limits excessive backward motion of the tibia.