Knee pain

Different structures in and around the knee together ensure that the knee is stable and at the same time can also move well. Almost everyone suffers from knee problems at some point. Knee symptoms can arise both acutely and over a longer period. This often presents as pain, stiffness, a movement restriction or a swollen knee.

Anatomy of the knee

The structure of the knee is confusing for many people. Terms such as 'meniscus', 'knee ligaments' and 'cruciate ligaments' are often used interchangeably. Below is an overview of the most important structures in and around the knee. 

Femur and tibia
Different bony parts meet in the knee joint. The rounded joint surfaces of the thigh bone (the femur) rest on the flatter top end of the shinbone (the tibia). Together they form the 'tibiofemoral joint'. Because the joint surfaces of the femur do not fit exactly on the flat 'tibial plateau', there are two menisci between the bony parts (plural of 'meniscus'). 

Meniscus
A meniscus is a crescent-shaped piece of cartilage that distributes pressure in the knee joint and has a shock-absorbing effect. In addition, it is thought that the menisci contribute to better lubrication of the joint by guiding the fluid (synovia) present in the joint as optimally as possible along the articular cartilage.

Cartilage
The articular cartilage is a very smooth layer of connective tissue with which the gliding bony parts are covered. Wear of this layer of cartilage is also known as 'osteoarthritis' (joint wear).

Ligaments
The stability of the knee is for the most part provided by different ligament structures. They hold the knee firmly together without limiting the natural movements.

Between the inner (medial) and outer (lateral) meniscus are the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. Do not confuse these with the medial and lateral collateral ligaments that are located at the sides of the joint.

Kneecap
The 'patella', better known as the kneecap, protects the front of the knee and has as an important function to help the extensor muscle, musculus quadriceps, to transmit forces to the lower leg. The patella forms a separate joint with the femur, also called the 'patellofemoral joint'.

Fibula
On the outside of the knee there is also a small joint formed by the head of the fibula that is firmly connected to the tibia. This is called the tibiofibular joint (tibia=shinbone, fibula=calf bone).

Muscles
The muscle that runs from the hip along the front of the thigh and then attaches to the lower leg via a tendinous structure with the kneecap is the musculus quadriceps. This muscle functions to extend the knee.

At the back of the knee and thigh run the hamstrings. The most important function of the hamstrings is to bend the knee. Together with many other muscles, the quadriceps and the hamstrings work closely together, allowing us to rotate, bend and extend the knee smoothly.

Check your knee symptoms

To get a good picture of what might be causing the pain in your knee, we advise you to do the online physiotherapy check. By pointing out where you have pain and then answering the questions, your knee symptoms are compared with the most common conditions in physiotherapy. It is sensible to have your knee pain checked by a physiotherapy practice near you.

Knee conditions

Below is an overview of conditions that can cause pain in the knee. Each article provides extensive information about the symptoms, the cause and any treatment. When you do the online physiotherapy check, your symptoms are compared with all these conditions.