The tibiofemoral joint is the junction of the tibia bone (shinbone) with the femur bone (thighbone).

Page updated May 2024 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)

tibiofemoral joint
The articulation of the two large bones - femur and tibia - forms the tibiofemoral joint. The joint is enclosed in a watertight capsule and protects the internal stabilising structures - cruciate ligaments and menisci.

 

One joint, two articulations

The tibiofemoral joint is actually comprised of two separate articulating areas, each of which can be affected separately by injury or other damage.

Thus a surgeon may refer to the medial tibiofemoral articulation or to the lateral one.

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The concept of 'compartments'

Disease - such as osteoarthritis - may begin in only one compartment.

By intervening early in uni-compartmental disorders, it may be possible to prevent the problem extending to the other compartments.

 

understanding the compartments of the knee

The concept of compartments has allowed the development of partial knee replacements, where only one of the compartments is replaced, while the others are retained.

  • Quote from peer-reviewed paper:

    "....Malalignment of the lower extremity, which overloads one compartment at the expense of another, is [...] associated with progression of osteoarthritis...."

    Citation: D'Lima DD, Fregly BJ, Patil S, Steklov N, Colwell CW Jr. Knee joint forces: prediction, measurement, and significance. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2012 Feb;226(2):95-102. doi: 10.1177/0954411911433372. PMID: 22468461; PMCID: PMC3324308.

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Forum discussions

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Synonyms: 
TF joint
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Dr Sheila Strover (Editor)
BSc (Hons), MB BCh, MBA

See biography...