Glossary
Knee joint
Quick answer
The knee joint is where the thigh bone (femur) meets the shin bone (tibia), with the kneecap (patella) gliding in front. Ligaments, menisci, cartilage and muscles keep it stable and smooth, as Doha knee surgeon Dr. Pablo Gelber explains to patients at Aman Hospital.
What it is
The knee is the largest joint in the body. It is really two joints working together: the tibiofemoral joint, between the femur and tibia, which bears your weight, and the patellofemoral joint, where the kneecap slides in a groove at the front of the femur.
It works mainly as a hinge, bending and straightening, but it also rotates slightly as it moves. Four main ligaments hold the bones together, two C-shaped menisci cushion and spread the load, and smooth articular cartilage covers the bone ends. The whole joint sits inside a capsule lined by synovium, which makes lubricating fluid.
Why it matters for patients
Because so many structures share one small space, pain in the knee can come from bone, cartilage, a ligament, a meniscus, a tendon or the lining. Where it hurts, what you were doing when it started, and whether the knee swells, locks or gives way all point towards a particular structure.
Everyday life in Qatar asks a lot of the knee: football and padel, the gym, kneeling and sujood at prayer, and sitting on the floor in the majlis.
How it is examined
A knee specialist starts with your story and a hands-on examination, testing each ligament, the menisci and the kneecap. X-rays show the bones and joint space, and an MRI shows soft tissues such as ligaments, menisci and cartilage when the examination suggests it is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Is the knee a simple hinge joint?
Mostly, but not entirely. It bends and straightens like a hinge and also rotates and glides a little, which is why twisting injuries can damage ligaments and menisci.
Which part of the knee is injured most often?
In active people, the menisci and the anterior cruciate ligament are among the most commonly injured structures. In older adults, wear of the articular cartilage is a frequent cause of pain.
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