To better understand the knee it is useful to explain some of the terms that are used.Meniscus - (often misquoted as cartridge) made of fibrocartilage, they sit between the ends of the bones that make up the joint. They are like a washer in a tap. Flexion - Bending the knee. Bringing the heel towards your bottom.

Extension - Straightening of the knee so that the leg is straight.

Anterior - Front of knee.

Posterior - Back of knee.

Medial - Inner side of knee.

Lateral - Outer side of knee.

Hypertension - Over straightening of the knee or bending it backwards. Femur - Thigh bone. Tibia - Shin bone.

Fibula - Long thin bone which starts on the lower outer side of the knee and all the way down to the ankle.

Patella - Knee cap.

Quadriceps - Made of four muscles on the front of the thigh.

These muscles bend the knee. Inflammation - Means there is heat, swelling, possible redness and limited movement of the knee.

Genu Varum - Bowed legs, knees away from each other.

Genu Valgus - Knock knee, knees coming closer together.

Bakers Cyst - Inflammation of bursa sac at the back of the knee.

Osteoarthritis - A degenerative condition of the normally smooth layer of cartilage at the end of the bone.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - A systemic illness or disease affecting any joint of the body. Accompanied by inflammation.