The knee and the gonarthrosis (arthrosis of the knee)

The knee joint is comprised of three bones: the thigh bone (femur), the shin bone (tibia) and the kneecap (patella).

When you flex or straighten your leg, the thigh bone turns on the shin bone, while the kneecap runs along the end of the thigh bone. The leg movement is driven by the thigh muscles, the biggest one being the quadriceps, located in the front of the thigh.

The thigh and the shin bones are connected by the ligaments, which give stability to the knee joint.

The surface of the kneecap, of the thigh bone and of the shin bone, where the bones come in contact with each other, is coated by a smooth tissue called articular cartilage. The cartilage, together with a substance called synovial fluid, prevents the bones from rubbing against each other and being damaged.

In case of arthrosis, the cartilage deteriorates and the bones start rubbing directly against each other. The result is joint pain, which becomes worse day by day, and limits motion.

Knee replacement is a common treatment for severe arthrosis. Successful knee replacement can brings dramatic pain relief and improve of the knee joint function.