Ligaments & Other Soft Tissues

A tissue called cartilage covers the portion of each bone that comes into contact with another bone. Cartilage ensures that the bones can move over each other or articulate with as little friction as possible thereby allowing the knee to move with great ease.

There are two menisci in the knee: one on the outside (lateral) and one on the inside (medial) of the knee. Shaped like a wedge, this rubbery cushion provides a place where the femur and tibia contact each other. Meniscal cartilage is curved like the a 'C' on the inside and outside of the knee. The meniscus helps the knee joint carry weight, as well as glide and turn in many directions. It also keeps your femur and tibia from having direct contact with one another.

The entire knee joint is encapsulated by a soft tissue called the synovium. A clear fluid called synovial fluid is secreted from the synovium and help to lubricate the joint.

Ligaments (soft tissues that connect bone to bone) cross the knee joint from the tibia to the femur adding stability and support. These soft tissues are extremely important to normal knee functioning. Four ligaments are routinely discussed: Medial and lateral collaterals, anterior and posterior cruciates.