Let's learn about the knee joint in simple terms. Here is the complete description of your knee!

How many times a day do we bend and straighten our knees? Think about it... From the moment we wake up in the morning to the moment we go to bed at night, our knees are used in almost everything we do. When we walk, run, climb stairs, sit on the floor, drive a car, play cricket, or get ready to hit a ball... our knee joint helps us with all of these. But do we know exactly what its structure is and how it works? What is the cause of the knee pain that sometimes occurs? Today, we will talk about all of this in a simple way that you can understand.

Simply put, what is this knee joint?

The knee joint is the joint that connects your thigh and lower leg. In fact, it is the largest joint in our body.

Like all other joints, the knee is part of our skeletal system. But it's not just bones. It also includes cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. All of these things work together to create this amazing mechanism called the knee.

The main function of the knee is to support the weight of our body, help us bend and move our legs. In fact, the knee helps with almost any activity you do using your legs.

If you have knee pain, don't ignore it. See your doctor right away. He or she can diagnose the cause of your pain and other symptoms and prescribe treatment that will help you get back to normal.

So let's take a closer look at what service this knee joint provides to our body.

What kind of joint is the knee?

In medicine, joints are classified according to their composition and function.

The knee is a synovial joint . This type of joint has a lot of freedom of movement. They are formed in such a way that one bone fits into another bone in a socket. The ends of these bones are covered with a very slippery, smooth type of cartilage called hyaline cartilage . Also, there is a lubricating fluid called synovial fluid that fills the gap between the two bones. This fluid is contained in a sac-like part (synovial membrane). This extra cushion is what allows joints like the knee to move smoothly without any friction.

In terms of movement, the knee is a hinge joint . Think of it like the hinge on a door. A door hinge can only open and close in one direction, right? In the same way, the knee can only bend and extend in one direction (forward and backward).

What is the knee joint made of?

This complex structure called the knee joint consists of five main parts:

• Bones
• Cartilage
• Ligaments
• Muscles
• Nerves

Let's take a simple look at these one by one.

### Bones

Three main bones come together to form the knee joint.

The places where these bones meet are called articulating surfaces. There are two such joints in the knee. One is between the kneecap and the thigh bone (patellofemoral articulation), and the other is between the thigh bone and the shin bone (tibiofemoral articulation).

### Cartilage

Cartilage is a strong, flexible connective tissue that acts as a shock absorber and protects our joints. There are two main types of cartilage in the knee.

1. Hyaline cartilage: This is the most common type of cartilage in our body. Some doctors also call it articular cartilage. It is very smooth and slippery. It is like a well-polished wet tile. This is why two bones move smoothly and painlessly. The surfaces where the thigh bone, shin bone, and kneecap touch each other are covered with this cartilage.

2. Fibrocartilage: As the name suggests, this is a strong cartilage made up of thick fibers. It is very strong. It can absorb shocks and vibrations. The meniscus in the knee is made up of two parts made up of this fibrocartilage. It is like two wedges. These are located between the thigh bone and the shin bone and act as a cushion. This meniscus absorbs the shock when we run and jump.

### Ligaments

Ligaments are like strong rubber bands. They are used to connect bones together and keep the joint stable. There are two types of knee ligaments.

When talking about knee injuries in athletes, you may have heard of ACL tears and MCL tears. That's what we mean by damage to these ligaments.

### Muscles

Muscles are soft tissues made up of elastic fibers. They contract (flex) to move parts of our body. The muscles in the leg help a lot in controlling the movement of the knee.

There are two main muscle groups.

• Flexors: These help bend the knee. Examples of these are the muscles in the front of the thigh (Quadriceps).
• Extensors: These help to straighten the knee after a bend . Examples of these are the muscles on the back of the thigh (hamstrings).

### Nerves

Nerves are like electrical cables. They carry messages from the brain to other parts of the body, and they also carry sensations (heat, cold, pain) from parts of the body to the brain. Major nerves, such as the femoral nerve and the sciatic nerve, travel through the knee. These control the movement and sensation of the muscles around the knee.

What are the most common problems and conditions that affect the knee?

Anything that damages our bones or connective tissues can affect the knees. Here are some of the most common problems that affect the knees.

What are the common symptoms of a knee problem?

Symptoms may vary depending on the condition affecting your knee. However, most knee problems share some common symptoms:

• Pain: Pain occurs, especially when moving the knee or putting weight on it.
• Swelling: Swelling around the knee.
• Color change:Redness or blueness of the knee.
• Feeling warm: When you touch your knee, it feels warmer than other places.
• Twisting sensation: A feeling of something twisting or pinching inside the knee.
• Popping: A popping sound or sensation in the knee (especially when there is an injury).
• Knee stiffness: The inability to bend or straighten the knee.
• Loss of knee strength: The inability to put weight on the knee and the feeling of the leg going numb.

How do you keep your knees healthy?

Our knees are a very valuable asset. So it is our duty to take good care of them. You can do these simple things to keep your knees healthy.

• Follow a healthy lifestyle: Follow a balanced diet and exercise plan that suits you. Controlling your body weight is very important for your knees. Because excess weight puts unnecessary pressure on your knees.
• Seek medical advice: Get regular medical checkups. Even if you feel a slight pain or change in your knee, do not ignore it and see a doctor immediately.
• Wear protective equipment: If you play a sport or do a job that is risky for your knees, wear the appropriate protective equipment (e.g. knee guards) correctly.
• Wear the right shoes: Wear shoes that fit your feet well and provide good support.
• Warm up before exercising: Do warm-up and stretching exercises before doing any exercise or sport.

The knee is the largest joint in our body. And it carries a lot of responsibility. Since the knee is used in almost everything we do, the chances of getting injured are high. A minor injury from time to time may be normal. But never ignore knee symptoms. Even if you feel a slight change, see a doctor and get advice. Then you can keep your knees healthy, strong, and functioning properly.