Bent Knee

Description

Depicted is a flexed male knee with a total knee arthroplasty construct replacing the native articular surfaces. The femoral component caps the distal femur and conforms to the medial and lateral femoral condyles, while the tibial baseplate sits on the proximal tibia to recreate the tibial plateau. An anterior patellar button is positioned on the posterior surface of the patella, facing the femoral trochlea, clarifying how the patellofemoral articulation tracks during knee flexion. Knee flexion is the position where component alignment, patellar tracking, and the flexion gap become clinically apparent, so this morphology matters when teaching why some patients develop anterior knee pain, mid-flexion instability, or limited range of motion after total knee replacement. The relationship between the femoral component and tibial tray also anchors discussions of posterior condylar offset, femoral sizing, and how small changes in rotation can shift contact pressures across the polyethylene insert. Small tolerances. Big consequences. Orthopaedic surgery and anatomy courses use this kind of view to explain the transition from normal tibiofemoral biomechanics to prosthetic kinematics, and to orient learners to standard TKA terminology before they encounter radiographs, operative notes, or implant system catalogs. It also fits well in patient education materials describing what surfaces are resurfaced in a knee replacement and why the patella may be resurfaced. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.