Knee Joints

Most people think of the knee as a single joint like a hinge that bends and straightens. This region of the body is actually made up of 3 joints. Tibiofibular joint is made up of the fibula and tibia. This joint moves a small degree. When it gets stuck pain can be severe on the outside of the knee. Patellofemoral joint is made up of the patella and femur. This is where the knee cap slides in the groove of the femur with bending. Pain here can present anywhere around or under the knee cap. Tibiofemoral joint made up of the femur and the tibia. This is the hinge joint that is commonly thought of as the knee. Multiple issues arise here such as arthritis and cartilage damage, meniscus injury, ligament injury. The knee is complex and the best place to start for pain is with an evaluation from a musculoskeletal specialist. Our physician utilizes ultrasound to distinguish which joint and associated structures are painful.