Knee

Anatomy of the Knee

Lateral View

Anterior View

Physiologic (Osteokinematic) Motions of the Knee

Accessory (Arthrokinematic) Motions of the Knee

Knee Mobilization Techniques

Patellofemoral (P/F) Glide & Tilt

Indications:

• Superior & inferior glide is to improve knee ext & flex, respectively

• Medial & lateral glide is to improve knee IR & ER, respectively

• Tilt is to improve all physiologic knee motions

Patient:

• Supine with knee in open-packed position

Clinician:

• Stands to side of pt

• Stabilization: Provided by the weight of the leg

• Mobilizing hand: Patella is contacted with web space of hand

  • Superior or inferior glide: hand placed at inferior or superior poles of patella, respectively

  • Medial or lateral glide: hand placed at lateral or medial aspects of patella, respectively

  • Tilt: thumbs placed over superior, inferior, medial, or lateral aspect of patella

Accessory Motion Technique:

• Glide: forearm aligned in direction in which force applied; other hand provides reinforcement

• Tilt: force applied in a posterior direction through patellar contact with the goal of moving opposing pole of patella anteriorly

Accessory With Physiologic Motion Technique:

• Superior or inferior glide can be performed during OKC or CKC active knee ext or flex, respectively

• Medial or lateral glide can be performed during CKC tibial IR or ER, respectively, or during ext & flex as above

Tibiofemoral (T/F) Distraction

Indications:

• To improve all knee motions

Patient:

• Supine with knee in open-packed position or prone with knee flexed to point of restriction

Clinician:

• Stands at foot of pt facing cephalad

• Stabilizing contact: In supine, distal thigh is stabilized over a bolster or mobilization straps can be used; in ...