Injuries of the knee

Abstract

The knee is one of the body parts most often injured. Sports, falls, and motor vehicle accidents account for the vast majority of injuries to the knee. The different types of injuries to the knee are defined by the affected anatomy of the knee and the mechanism by which it is injured. This chapter gives a non-exhausting overview of common injuries both acute and chronic to the knee joint. Although bony lesions or fractures are more spectacular, most of the injuries around the knee joint affect the soft tissue envelope. This envelope offers a precious system balancing the joint during most of our activities. However, good knowledge of the functional anatomy remains of utmost importance for the clinician to come to a correct diagnosis.