Over the next few weeks, we will focus on specific joints, including those we regularly treat in the clinic. We will start this week with the Ligaments of the Knee. Remember that we don’t just treat backs!
The human body is a fantastic machine! Around 360 joints connect one bone to another. Furthermore, 270 bones at birth decrease to 206 as we age as parts of our bones fuse.
We hope this makes you think about these joints more. Only when pain or discomfort signals something is wrong with them do you notice they’re there!
Today’s joint is the knee—the largest joint in the body and one of the most stressed joints!
If you’re a non-disabled person, you use your knees as soon as you wake up in your everyday life. Getting out of bed and walking to the shower, sink, or car helps you get through your day. Whatever you do with your body!
Running and other high-impact sports, especially those that involve jumping and sudden turns, can cause knee injuries. Additionally, particular jobs, including plumbers and carpet fitters, include spending much time on their knees. They might also be squatting, leaving them prone to knee problems.
Knee’s primary functions are to:
- Support the body in an upright position without requiring muscles to work.
- Help to lower and raise the body.
- Help to propel the body forward.
- Provide stability.
- Act as a shock absorber.
- Allow twisting of the leg.
- Make walking more efficient.
Some key facts that might make you look after your knees more:
- They bear our weight during almost every daily activity. According to the Arthritis Foundation – for every pound you weigh, your knees receive four times the amount of stress. So, if you’re 10 pounds overweight, your knees absorb 40 pounds of extra pressure. In turn, this can damage the joints over time.
- Knees absorb a lot of shock, whether you’re walking, jumping, or running. If you’re starting any exercise, remember to warm up and ease into it slowly and gently. Your knees are more prone to injuries.
- The knee is the most complicated joint in the body. It isn’t just a ball-shaped kneecap (patella) over two larger bones. It consists of 3 bones: cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. They include the femur (thigh bone), the patella (kneecap), and the top section of the tibia (the shin bone). Tendons and four significant ligaments hold their position. (the anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) and the Lateral Collateral Ligament. Additionally, between them, two cartilages or menisci separate them.
- Your knee needs ten muscles to function. The quadriceps are at the front of the thigh. These are a group of 4 muscles: rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius and vastus medialis). Moreover, the hamstrings are at the back of the thigh (a group of 3 muscles: semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and biceps femoris). In addition, muscles work together to help stabilise the knee joint. These include the hip abductors, gluteus (buttocks) and calf muscles. However, we often recommend strengthening these muscles to help alleviate the daily weight-bearing stresses experienced by the knees.
- Wearing unsupportive shoes can add pressure to the knees and damage them. It is important to wear supportive shoes for the activity. Whether you are standing on your feet all day, exercising, or have underlying joint pain. This will help give your knees the best shock absorbency and reduce pressure.
- Babies are born without kneecaps and start as cartilage. Over 2-6 years, the knee changes to bone.
Some common terminology you may also have heard used for symptoms in the knees:
- Arthritis – Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Sprained ligaments or strained muscles
- Tendonitis
- Osgood Schlatter disease
- Torn cartilage/meniscus or ligament
- Bursitis
What To Do if You Suspect a Knee Problem
Moreover, if you have pain in your knee(s), you might recognise some of the above terms for common knee problems. It is essential to seek a diagnosis and treatment as early as possible. Call us today to discuss your specific symptoms. We can also help prevent the problems from worsening or a lengthy recovery period.
Finally, remember that the osteopath team will be at the Therapy & Life Centre on Saturday, March 9th. We will offer free 15-minute spinal checks and advice sessions. So why don’t you chat with one of us about any knee or other body aches you have?
Finally, please call 07957 563 472 for an appointment or message us via our Contact Us page.
Over the next few weeks, we will focus on specific joints, including those we regularly treat in the clinic. We will start this week with the Ligaments of the Knee. Remember that we don’t just treat backs!
The human body is a fantastic machine! Around 360 joints connect one bone to another. Furthermore, 270 bones at birth decrease to 206 as we age as parts of our bones fuse.
