Knee A to Z

RA is an abbreviation of 'rheumatoid arthritis'.

A radial tear of the meniscus cuts across the main fibres of the meniscus, from the inner rim to the outer rim. Page updated June 2024 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)

A ramp lesion is a longitudinal vertical or oblique tear of the periphery of the affecting posterior horn of the medial meniscus where the meniscus attaches to the capsule. Page updated October 2023 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)

Range of motion of the knee is the range in degrees through which the knee can bend and straighten, and which is normally -5° to +143° in women and -6° to +140° in men. Page updated June 2024 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)

A realignment osteotomy realigns the long bones where they are abnormally bowed or knocked to improve the distribution of forces through the joint.

A 'recipient' receives a transplant from a 'donor', or a 'recipient' area receives a transplant from a 'donor' area.

The rectus femoris muscle is one of the four heads of the quadriceps muscle.

Recurvatum means that the knee inclines backwards more than 5 degrees when weight is taken on the leg. Page updated June 2024 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)

Reefing is surgical tightening of the retinacular tissues on the medial aspect of the patella.

Referred pain is pain that is experienced in one part of the body but which is really arising from a different part.