Knee Pain and Problems Brief anatomy of the knee: The knee is a
vulnerable joint that bears a great deal of stress from everyday
activities such as lifting and kneeling, and from high-impact
activities such as jogging and aerobics. The knee is formed by
the following parts: - tibia - shin bone or larger bone of the
lower leg. - femur - thighbone or upper leg bone. - patella -
kneecap. Each bone end is covered with a layer of cartilage that
absorbs shock and protects the knee. Basically, the knee is two
long leg bones held together by muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
There are two groups of muscles involved in the knee, including
the quadriceps muscles (located on the front of the thighs),
which straighten the legs, and the hamstring muscles (located on
the back of the thighs), which bend the leg at the knee. Tendons
are tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones.
Ligaments are elastic bands of tissue that connect bone to bone.
Some ligaments on the knee provide stability and protection of
the joints,