What is the Meaning & Definition of kneecap

The patella, also known as patella, is a bone located on the front of the knee joint, it is covered by the tendon of the quadriceps in whose interior is. Even if it comes in contact with the femur and the tibia, is not attached directly to any of these bones.

What is the importance of the patella on the knee joint

This small bone has two main functions, on the one hand protects the front of the joint and on the other make the muscle of the thigh called quadriceps is inserted into the tibia so that generates greater traction during the movement.

Malalignment of the kneecap favours the emergence of degenerative disorders

Patella to be on the inside of the quadriceps tendon may be affected by any modification of this muscle.
A condition that occurs most often is the external lateralisation of the patella, which occurs when this bone is located near the outside of the joint, this condition is associated with the weakening of the internal component of the quadriceps muscle known as vast media, in this case dominates the effect of its external portion or Vastus lateralis with what the ball is lateraliza.
Once this structure is located in a different position their points of contact with the femur change which leads to wear cartilage joint that it is located in your back, this is manifested by traquido to the Flex and extend the knee, sometimes can also have pain when making movements like walking on inclines or stairs.

Patellar Chondromalacia

Articular cartilage injury patella is a degenerative process, this condition is called patellar Chondromalacia and is a common cause of pain in the knee and traquido.
This injury can be treated with physical therapy, what is sought is to strengthen the vast medial or inside of the quadriceps with which manages to realign the ball disappearing so the symptoms, once aligned may use hyaluronic acid into the joint with what is repaired cartilage damage. In the advanced degrees, the treatment is surgical by Arthroscopy.
In addition to the poor alignment of the patella, patellar Chondromalacia relates facts as direct trauma to the knee during falls, accidents or sports practices. This condition can occur alone or with other injuries of knee osteoarthritis, injury to the cruciate ligaments or meniscus injuries.