Hip Arthritis

The knee joint, though appearing as a simple hinge joint, stands out as one of the most complex joints in the body and is more susceptible to injury than any other joint. This joint marks the junction of the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone). Two rounded knobs called condyles are located at the end of the thigh bone. The kneecap (patella) moves through a specialized groove formed by these condyles. Similar to the hip, the ends of the bones are covered by articular cartilage, typically about one-quarter of an inch thick in most large joints. This cartilage, exhibiting a white, shiny appearance with a rubbery consistency, facilitates surfaces sliding against each other, absorbs shock, and serves as a crucial element for smooth joint motion.