Femur

The femur from the front, with the two rounded condyles at the lower end and the notch between them.

X-ray showing the rounded femoral condyles from the side, making contact with the flat plateau of the tibia underneath them.

• The hip affects the knee and vice versa
• Key components of the femur inside the knee joint

The hip affects the knee and vice versa

Only the lower end of the femur forms part of the knee joint.

However, because the upper end of the femur forms part of the hip joint, hip problems can affect the knee and vice versa. In particular, twisting torsion of the shaft of the femur or abnormal angulation (anteversion) of the neck of the femur may cause gait problems associated with knee pain.

• Femoral torsion

• Femoral anteversion

Back to top

Key components of the femur inside the knee joint

With the knee bent, the key components of the femur within the knee joint can be seen, and include -

• the two rounded condyles - the condyles bear the body weight through the knee joint.
• the trochlear groove between the condyles where the kneecap runs
• the intercondylar notch between the condyles towards the back of the knee, which houses and protects the important cruciate ligaments.

• Condyle
• Trochlear groove
• Intercondylar notch

• Cruciate ligament

Back to top