Knee Disorders

Excerpt

The knee joint is the largest joint in the body but far from the least vulnerable. Because of its exposed position in the limb, great functional demands are placed upon the knee by weight-bearing forces (such as occur with walking, running, and jumping). Thus the knee is liable to suffer derangement of its function and stability more frequently than any other joint. This derangement may be nontraumatic or traumatic. In addition to the position of the knee, the age and sex of the individual affect the incidence of common knee disorders (Table).

By convention, the knee is subdivided into the patellofemoral and the femorotibial joints. But, for convenience, the problems affecting both joints will be discussed under the classifications of nontraumatic and traumatic. Through a thorough systematic knee evaluation, common disorders should be recognized.…