Knee Surgery

Knee

Knee is the lower extremity joint connecting the femur, fibula,patella, and the tibia. Since in humans the knee supports nearly the entire weight of the body, it is the joint most vulnerable both to acute injury and to the development of osteoarthritis.

The knee is a complex joint with many components, making it vulnerable to a variety of injuries. Many knee injuries can be successfully treated without surgery or need of an orthopaedic surgeon, while others require surgery to correct. Here are some facts about the knee from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Our hips and knees bear our full body weight while allowing for an incredibly wide range of motion, making them susceptible to injury and arthritis. There are many types of hip and knee problems that are the result of sports injury, trauma or arthritis.

Many athletes experience injuries to their knee ligaments that require knee surgery. Of the four major ligaments found in the knee, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL) are often injured in sports. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) may also be injured.

Arthritis can affect the hip and knee joints, with the most common form being osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a "wear and tear" type arthritis or joint destruction whose symptoms include pain, swelling, and stiffness. Osteoarthritis can affect people in their senior years, and can occur in middle age and in athletes.