The knee joint is one of the largest and most complex joints in the body. It is a major weight-bearing joint, and is involved in bending, straightening, twisting and turning.
The knee joint is formed by the lower end of the femur (thighbone) and upper end of the tibia (shinbone). At the front of the knee is the patella (kneecap).
The surfaces of the bones that form the joint are covered with a smooth, shock-absorbing layer called articular cartilage.
The knee joint is made stable by the support from strong ligaments. On each side of the knee there are medial (inside) and lateral (outside) collateral ligaments. Within the knee, the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments cross from the front to the back of the knee to give it stability.
The menisci (also referred to as "the cartilage") are made of fibrocartilage and further help to stabilize the knee.
The London Knee Unit offers advice and treatment for conditions that affect all parts of the knee. If you would like to find out more about the treatments we provide for orthopaedic conditions please visit our other musculoskeletal sites:
Musculoskeletal Foot and Ankle injuries Nerve injuries Shoulder injuries