Essay Sample on Patellofemoral Joint: A Key Knee Joint in Mobility

Introduction

Patellofemoral Joint is one of the knee joints that consists of the trochlear surface of the distal anterior femur and the posterior surface of the patella. Generally, the knee joint is overlapped with ligaments from the inside and outside the joint which provide strength and stability to the knee joint. The patella has various functions, but its main function is to act as the pivot for the quadriceps when the patella changes movement with its contribution increasing progressively. Loudon (2016) suggested that the patella joint plays a vital role the last 30 degrees of knee extension movement (Loudon, 2016). The joint also acts as protection for the Anterior Trochlea since it is situated between the femur and the quadriceps tendon, thus preventing excess friction between the femoral condyles and the quadriceps tendon.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Patella's static alignment is related to the height of the lateral femoral condyle and the depth of the femoral sulcus. The patella should also be lined so that the inferior and superior borders are equidistant from the femur. It is also termed as a tilt when it deviates either posterior or interior. If the patella tilts inferiorly, I can bring problems since it may interfere with the patella fat pad, which lays underneath the patellar tendon. The patella also rotates around the anterior-posterior axis and often described by the inferior pole of the patella. The medial rotation happens when the inferior pole is directed medially while the lateral rotation takes place when the inferior pole moves towards the lateral side of the knee. However, its movement during tibiofemoral motion is highly dependent on the structure of the Patellofemoral, extensibility of the connective tissue in the patella, and the active contraction of the quadriceps. These movements include medial and lateral rotation and tilt, medial and lateral glide, and superior/inferior glide.

Patellofemoral Joint Complications are often caused by general overuse, lower kinetic chain factors, abnormal patellar tracking, or abnormal anatomy and alignment. Wibeeg (2012) suggest that the shape of the patella is a significant factor in the development of patella complication (Wibeeg, 2012). However, these shapes are difficult to identify as different types of dysplastic patellae are associated with dislocation and subluxation. People with smaller literal trochlea are often more prone to subluxations or literal dislocations of the patellofemoral joint. Additionally, according to Loudon (2016), abnormal tracking also creates imbalance on the patella joint since the lateral and medial stability is important for sustaining the right biomechanics of the joint.

Conclusion

In summation, the two pieces of research provide informative information regarding the function and pathomechanics of the patellofemoral joint. A profound evaluation of the forces and structures that affect the patellofemoral joint function is important in understanding the various clinical problems associated with the joint. The patellofemoral joint has various functions, but its main function is to act as the pivot for the quadriceps when the patella changes movement with its contribution increasing progressively. Its' movements during tibiofemoral motion is highly dependant on the geometry of the patella groove, extensibility of the connective tissue about the Patellofemoral, and the active contraction of the quadriceps. Such information can be used when evaluating and examining athletes as well as coming up with rehabilitation interventions in the bid to ensure that exercises are performed with movements that place minimal strain on the vulnerable strictures in the joint.

References

Loudon, J. K. (2016). Biomechanics and pathomechanics of the patellofemoral joint. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 11(6), 820.

Myer, G. D., Ford, K. R., Foss, K. D. B., Goodman, A., Ceasar, A., Rauh, M. J., ... & Hewett, T. E. (2010). The incidence and potential pathomechanics of patellofemoral pain in female athletes. Clinical biomechanics, 25(7), 700-707.

Wibeeg, G. (1941). Roentgenographs and anatomic studies on the femoropatellar joint: with special reference to chondromalacia patellae. Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica, 12(1-4), 319-410.