Our knees work hard every day. Whether you’re walking, playing sport, gardening or just bending down, healthy knees help keep you active and independent.
Knee injuries are common in sport, but they can also happen during everyday activities or when we do more than our bodies are used to. Understanding how your knees work and how to look after them can help keep them moving well.
How do our knees work?
Knees are complex joints that help support your body weight while allowing you to move with stability.
Each knee is formed by the thigh bone, shin bone and kneecap. Smooth cartilage covers the ends of the bones, allowing them to glide easily, while the meniscus acts as a shock absorber and helps spread forces across the joint.
Strong ligaments help keep the knee stable. The collateral ligaments on either side of the knee limit excessive sideways movement, while the cruciate ligaments inside the joint help control forward, backward and twisting movements.
What types of injuries can occur?
Knee injuries can affect the bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues. They may occur after a fall, collision or awkward twist. For example, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is commonly injured during sports involving sudden stopping, pivoting or landing, such as football and netball.
Not all knee problems happen suddenly. They can also develop gradually from repeated strain or doing more activity than your body is accustomed to. For instance, kneeling or squatting for long periods, steep hill walking, a new exercise routine, or returning to sport after a break can place extra stress on the knees, particularly if the muscles supporting the joint are weak or the joints are stiff.
Regular exercise that improves leg strength, balance and coordination has been shown to reduce the risk of some knee injuries, especially during sport. Gradually building up new activities, warming up beforehand, and wearing appropriate footwear can also help protect your knees.
If knee pain, stiffness or instability is affecting your daily activities, we can assess how your joints and muscles are working together. This can help guide advice and care to support better movement and function.
