Three Dimensional Joint Assignment - Knee Joint

What to include:
Main Parts of the Knee Joint
Bones: Femur, Tibia, Fibula, Patella
Ligaments: Anterior cruciate ligament, Posterior cruciate ligament, Medial collateral ligament and Lateral collateral ligament
Cartilage: Medial and Lateral menisci
Tendons: Patellar tendon

Main Function:
The knee is the largest joint in the human body. It enables hinge and rotating movements as the connection between the upper and lower leg. It is what allows us bend the lower leg backward and also rotates the lower leg and foot towards the upper leg.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament: resists extremes of knee extension
Posterior Cruciate Ligament: resists extremes of knee flexion
Menisci: Absorb shock
Patella: protects anterior articular surface of the knee
Medial collateral ligament: gives stability to the inner knee.
Lateral collateral ligament: stability to the outer knee
#1 Injury - (& rehabilitation)
Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage between joints wears away. The bones of the joints rub more closely against one another with less of the shock-absorbing benefits of cartilage. The rubbing results in pain, swelling, stiffness, decreased ability to move. Osteoarthritis can occur in young people but is more common in those over the age of 45. The knee is one of the most affected areas of osteoarthritis. Women are more likely to have osteoarthritis than men.

Factors of Osteoarthritis

Age. The ability of cartilage to heal decreases as a person gets older.
Weight. Weight increases pressure on all the joints, especially the knees.
Heredity. May also be due to inherited abnormalities in the shape of the bones that surround the knee joint.
Gender. Women who are 55 and older are more likely than men to develop osteoarthritis of the knee.
Repetitive stress injuries. A lot of activity that can stress the joint, such as kneeling, squatting, or lifting heavy weights (constant pressure on the joint.)
Athletics. Athletes involved in soccer, tennis, or long-distance running may be at higher risk for developing osteoarthritis of the knee.
Other illnesses. People with other arthritis, and certain metabolic