Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

knee bursitis
Inflammation of a fluid-filled sac
(bursa) around the knee. See 
bursitis.
knee jerk
The reflex that is tested by tapping just
below the bent knee on the patellar tendon.
Normally this causes the quadriceps muscle to con-
tract and bring the lower leg forward. It has given
rise to the saying “a knee-jerk reaction.” Also
known as patellar reflex.
knee replacement
A surgical procedure to
relieve pain and increase function in people with
severe damage to the knee joint. Knee replacement
surgery may involve replacing the entire joint (total
knee replacement) or only a portion of the joint
(partial knee replacement). Damaged cartilage and
bone from the surface of the knee joint are removed
and replaced with an artificial substance. Knee
replacement surgery is considered for patients
whose knee joints have been damaged by progres-
sive arthritis, trauma, or other rare destructive dis-
eases of the joint. The most common reason for
knee replacement in the US is severe osteoarthritis
of the knees. Also known as knee arthroplasty.
kneecap
The patella, the small bone in the front
of the knee. The patella is a little (sesamoid) bone,
embedded in the tendon of insertion of the quadri-
ceps muscle. If the patella is shattered beyond
repair, it can be removed in an operation called a
patellectomy and sometimes replaced with pros-
thetic material.
knock-knees
An abnormal curve of the legs that
causes the knees to touch or nearly touch while the
feet are apart. The problem may arise in the bone
structure, or it may develop gradually as a result of
muscle abnormalities. Knock-knees can cause
movement difficulties, muscle and bone strain, and
pain due to overstress on the ankles. The condition
can be treated via physical therapy, and in some
cases it can be corrected with surgery. Also known
as genu valgum.
knuckle
The top of the flexed finger joint.
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