Anatomy And Physiology: Case Study Summary: Knee Injuries

Osvaldo Casanova

Mrs. Ana Maria Barral

Anatomy and Physiology

2/4/18

Case Study Knee injury The word patella comes from the great latin language meaning shallow pan or shallow dish. The description of that word could not be more correct, it was meant in reference to balance of food but in anatomy’s case a balance of the body. The patella is a small bone located in front of the knee joint where the thigh bone (femur) and shinbone (tibia) meet. It protects the knee and connects the muscles in the front of the thigh to the tibia. The patella is one of two sesamoid bones found in the body, roughly triangular shaped in size. It’s thick consistency allows for the articulation of the femur, which in turn allows for body support and balance. The patella has multiple body functions with the primary being knee extension. The patella is essential for basic body functions including locomotion;

These types of injuries do not happen alone typically they go along with a traumatic event such as a car collision, a fall, blunt force, anything that would have greater force than the bone itself causing a breakage. A fracture in the patella is no different, patients who experience such events are like to produce these signs and symptoms such as severe pain in and around the patella, swelling, difficulty extending their leg, deformed appearance of the knee due to fractured pieces, and tenderness. There are many different types of fractures and some have to do with anatomical location such as transverse (horizontally across), apex(at the highest point), and vertical or a complete breakage of the patella called a comminuted fracture. The signs and symptoms however remain the same for all if not most patellar fractures. Perhaps patients whom are experience pain in their knees could potentially be at risk for a type of injury but it is hard to determine without the proper knowledge of the risk