Patellofemoral pain is common, with an incidence as high as 50% in some populations. Often referred to as anterior knee pain, patellofemoral pain can be challenging for both patients and clinicians, as it can often be difficult to determine the…
Patellar instability is a broad topic that encompasses a continuum of patellar abnormalities. To address this complex topic, it is important to first define several terms. During the normal knee flexion cycle, the patella tracks in the center of the…
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is an extremely common cause of disability. The etiology is multifactorial, but joint injury is a prevalent cause of OA in the knee. Studies have shown that meniscal injury requiring a meniscectomy alters knee biomechanics and leads…
Knee ligaments are responsible for providing the static stability of the knee, control of kinematics, and prevention of abnormal rotation and/or displacement that may damage the articular surfaces or the menisci. Knee dislocations are rare and are estimated to account…
As understanding of the posterolateral corner (PLC) has increased, its significance to overall knee function and biomechanics has become clearer. Although it is a relatively uncommon injury, PLC injuries can have severe consequences for overall knee stability and function. Missed…
Medial ligament injuries of the knee are often assumed to be only medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries. However, the medial ligament includes not only the MCL but also posteromedial structures that play a vital role in the stability of the…
The treatment of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries is a controversial topic in orthopaedic surgery. In contrast to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, for which an abundance of basic science and clinical data is available, the PCL has only recently…
As the number of primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions performed annually continues to increase, the number of revision procedures is also projected to increase. A larger number of patients returning to high-demand sports and activities following primary reconstruction has…
History The anatomy and injury of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has been well-documented in history for centuries, but it was not until the mid-1800s that reports of surgical treatment of ACL injuries began to appear in surgical literature. Although…
Articular cartilage defects in the knee ( Fig. 97.1 ) are common and often result in pain and dysfunction. Over the past several decades, research efforts have focused on better understanding how to diagnose and treat these lesions. Comprised predominately…