Knee Joint Anatomy: Tibiofemoral and Patellofemoral Joints

This course describes knee joint anatomy including the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints. That is knee anatomy includes the tibiofemoral joint which is the approximation of the tibia (shin bone) and femur (thigh bone), and the patellofemoral joint with is the approximation of the patella (knee cap) and the femur. This course includes descriptions of the bones, synovial joints, joint actions, ligaments (e.g. anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament), bursae, relative location, the relationship between the bones of the tibia (shin bone) and femur, and the muscles that cross them. Further, this course discusses palpation and introduces knee joint specific exercises, manual techniques, and interventions for dysfunction, pain, posture, and movement impairment. The knee joint is included in the common compensation patterns known as functional pes planus (flat feet), pronation distortion syndrome, knee bow out (varus), feet turn out, functional valgus (knee bow in), asymmetrical weight shift (AWS), and lower extremity dysfunction (LLD) . Sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, etc.) with advanced knowledge of the knee joint will improve their ability to analyze human movement and develop sophisticated exercise programs and therapeutic (rehabilitation) interventions. Further, this course is essential knowledge for future courses discussing injury prevention and physical rehabilitation/physical therapy (e.g. knee pain, knee injury, knee arthritis, meniscus (cartilage), anterior cruciate ligament injury, posterior cruciate ligament injury, knee instability, knee replacement surgery), the effect the knee joint has on lower extremity alignment (e.g. the relationship between tibial external rotation and hip internal rotation), and tibiofemoral specific techniques for enhancing sports performance (e.g. lower body (leg) stability, strength, hypertrophy, agility, and power).

Brookbush Institute's most recommended techniques for the Knee Joint (see videos below):

• Assess:
  • Overhead Squat Assessment: Knee Bow-In
• Self-administered Techniques:
  • Release: Rectus Femoris Static Release
  • Mobilization: Self-administered Knee Joint Mobilization
  • Activation: Tibial Internal Rotator Activation
• Manual Techniques:
  • Release: Vastus Lateralis Static Manual Release
  • Mobilization: Knee Joint Anterior to Posterior Manual Mobilization
  • Manipulation: Proximal Tibiofibular Joint Manipulation

Caption: The knee joint bones, ligaments, and connective tissue