by Denise Müller, Grad. Sports Scientist
The ligament system of the
knee joint consists of the cruciate ligaments, the medial collateral ligament, and lateral collateral ligament. The cruciate ligaments have their name from the fact that they cross over at the centre of the knee joint. The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments are important stabilisers for every movement of the knee joint’s complex structure. They allow the smooth movement (rolling and gliding movement) of the joint, limit the stretch of the shin, guide the joint during movements, and therefore provide it with the necessary stability.
The anterior cruciate ligament is the most important ligament in the knee joint, and must withstand the most stress. Its intricate routing prevents the lower limb from slipping forward. Additionally, the anterior cruciate ligament and the other ligaments limit the rotation of the knee joint.
The posterior cruciate ligament prevents backward slippage and also decreases the rotational movement of the knee joint.
In addition to a healthy capsule-ligament apparatus, a stable and strong knee requires well-trained and balanced muscles around the knee.
And of course: no movement of the knee is possible at all without activating these muscles.
The knee joint is stretched mainly by the activation of the quadriceps on the front of the thigh. These muscles are particularly strong. They are involuntarily activated when the knee is bent while walking to prevent the leg from uncontrolled buckling.
The ischiocrural muscles are located at the back of the thigh and control the leg bend at the knee joint. This group of muscles primarily supports the anterior cruciate ligament, which means that a rupture of the cruciate ligament will require particularly intensive therapeutic training of the posterior muscles.
