ABSTRACT

The knee joint is a synovial hinge joint. It consists of two condyloid tibiofemoral joints and a sellar patellofemoral joint. The knee has bursae surrounding it that can become inflamed and infected. The anatomical axes of the femur and tibia are defined by their medullary canal. The mechanical axis of the lower limb runs from the centre of the femoral head, through the intercondylar notch of the knee to the centre of the ankle joint. The commonest conditions affecting the knee include injury to the soft-tissue structures and osteoarthritis (OA). The pattern of meniscal injury or degeneration is variable and can affect either the medial and/or the lateral meniscus. There are several recognised patterns of meniscal tear: circumferential, radial, horizontal, flap and degenerate. OA commonly affects the knee joint. Knee operations can be done either arthroscopically or open.