The Anatomy of Your Knees—and Why They Ache So Badly!

The human body is a complex system that is composed of hundreds of different parts and components all working together to promote health and movement. Unfortunately, all of the systems that make up the body don’t always work harmoniously. When people are injured, sick or aging, different parts of the body may begin to feel pain, especially during movement. Knee pain is one of the most common complaints among older adults and highly active individuals, and it can be caused by a number of things. Read on to find out a little bit more about the anatomy of the knee and what the source of your knee pain might be.

Knee anatomy

The knee is one of the most complex joints in the body, and it is responsible for a significant amount of movement on a daily basis. The knee connects your femur, or thighbone, with your tibia, or shinbone. These bones are connected by ligaments, which join different bones together and provide strength and stability to the joint.

There are four major ligaments in your knee—the anterior cruciate, the posterior cruciate, the medial collateral and the lateral collateral ligament. These ligaments prevent your tibia and femur from sliding back and forth unnaturally, and also prevent side-to-side sliding of your bones. Here are some common ligament issues to watch out for:

• Anterior cruciate ligament tearing: An ACL tear can cause your knee to lose stability and may result in a failure of the joint during physical activity. Oftentimes, knee specialists in Las Vegas, NV will treat ACL tears with surgical methods.
• Posterior cruciate ligament tearing: PCL tears also cause instability and may also lead to painful inflammation and swelling. These tears aren’t as common as ACL tears and may be effectively addressed with physical therapy and other non-invasive treatments.
• Medial collateral ligament tearing: An MCL injury usually causes instability in the inner part of the knee. In many cases, MCL injuries will heal on their own with proper care and monitoring from a physician.
• Arthritis: Arthritis is a common condition that affects the joints. It causes swelling and inflammation in joints, including the knees, which causes pain and gradually damages the joint over time. People are usually diagnosed with arthritis later in life, but the disease can affect people of any age. In addition to inflammation, arthritis also wears down the tissue in your joints, which leads to muscle stiffness and a loss of mobility. If you’re experiencing pain in your knees, you should seek treatment from a knee specialist in Las Vegas, NV who can help determine the cause and identify whether it might be arthritis.

If you’re experiencing chronic pain or struggling with a painful injury recovery, give the office of Bernard Ong, M.D. a call for a consultation. Since 2006, our clinic has provided patients with orthopedic surgery and sports medicine treatments. Dr. Ong is a premier orthopedic surgeon in Las Vegas and has helped many patients achieve pain relief and successful injury recovery. If you would like to get started with an evaluation and treatment plan, give our office a call today.

Categorized in: Knee Specialist

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