What is a knee capsule?
The knee joint capsule is the structure surrounding the knee, made up of ligaments, bone, and fluid-filled cavities. It allows the full knee to have flexion, or bending motion, due to the folds within the capsule.
What is the knee capsule made of?
The knee capsule has two main layers, an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer is a tough, fibrous membrane that is formed from ligament tissue. The inner layer is a synovial membrane and secretes synovial fluid. The knee capsule also contains bursae.
What is the synovial capsule of the knee?
The synovium, which is also sometimes called the stratum synoviale or synovial stratum, is connective tissue that lines the inside of the joint capsule. A joint capsule, also called an articular capsule, is a bubble-like structure that surrounds joints such as the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, knee, foot and ankle.
What ligaments make up the knee capsule?
Intracapsular ligaments are found inside the joint capsule, with the cruciate ligaments being the most well known of this subgroup.
- Patellar ligament. Patellar ligament.
- Lateral (fibular) collateral ligament. Fibular collateral ligament of knee joint.
- Oblique popliteal ligament.
- Cruciate ligaments.
- Menisci.
How do you treat a joint capsule?
Treatment of Knee Capsule Strain
- The RICE method: Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation.
- NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (pain medication such as ibuprofen).
Can you tear a joint capsule?
Joints are held in place and supported by ligaments and an outer covering known as the joint capsule. Trauma or chronic (long term) inflammation at the joint can cause the capsule to tear (rupture). This results in pain, swelling and toe deformity. This can occur after the injection of a corticosteroid into the joint.
How do you treat a joint capsule injury?
Possible home treatments for a knee capsule strain injury can include:
- The RICE method: Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation.
- NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (pain medication such as ibuprofen).
How long does a joint capsule take to heal?
Usually, at least six weeks of recovery time are required. In general, activities will be limited and gradually increased until the range-of-motion and strength in the repaired shoulder is equal to that of the other arm. In some cases, you may be able to return to light work within a few days.
Can joint capsule heal?
Unlike a muscle which will respond to gentle, gradual stretching, the joint capsule needs to be specifically addressed with a program designed to increase the mobility of the existing adhesions and restore the subtle motions which need to take place within the joint.
How long does it take for a joint capsule to heal?
Do joint capsules heal?
The capsule and synovium are injured with any significant knee injury but tend to heal rapidly. There are times when the capsule and it’s associated ligaments heal in a lengthened position and no longer function the way they are supposed to.
What does a joint capsule do?
What does the joint capsule do? The joint capsule provides passive joint stability, limiting the joint range of motion, primarily via the tough, fibrous outer layer. The capsule also provides nutrition and lubrication to the joint via the inner synovial layer.
What is the purpose of joint capsule?
The joint capsule, ligaments, and tendons serve to stabilize the joint, distribute the biomechanical load on the joint and protect the joint by limiting its normal range of motion. The joint capsule is comprised of fibrous connective tissue and inserts into the bone near the articulating surfaces.