| Your knee is a hinge joint that is made up of the
thighbone (femur), the shinbone (tibia) and the kneecap (patella).
The end of the thighbone slides on top of the shinbone. The knee joint
is surrounded by muscles, ligaments and tendons. The membrane (synovial
membrane) surrounding the joint produces a small amount of fluid to
‘oil’ the joint. Smooth cartilage covers the surfaces
of the ends of the bones. This cartilage helps make joint movement
easy and painless.
When the cartilage is damaged (ie become rough or worn down from
arthritis) the knee bones will rub against each other during motion.
This causes pain.
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