What is the resting position of the tibiofemoral joint?

What is the resting position of the tibiofemoral joint?

• A. 25 degrees flexion
• B. Full extension
• C. 90 degrees flexion
• D. Neutral with slight flexion

Answer: (A)

The resting (loose-packed) position of the knee is when the joint is most relaxed and has the most give for movement. For the tibiofemoral joint this is about 25 degrees of knee flexion. In this position the ligaments and joint capsule are lax, the articular surfaces are not pressed firmly together, and there is maximal joint play, which makes it the easiest position to assess or manipulate the joint. In contrast, full extension is a close-packed position where ligaments are taut and the joint is more stable with the surfaces highly congruent, leaving less room for movement. A 90-degree bend is not a resting position, and neutral with slight flexion is not the typical loose-packed range. So the best resting position is around 25 degrees of flexion.

The resting (loose-packed) position of the knee is when the joint is most relaxed and has the most give for movement. For the tibiofemoral joint this is about 25 degrees of knee flexion. In this position the ligaments and joint capsule are lax, the articular surfaces are not pressed firmly together, and there is maximal joint play, which makes it the easiest position to assess or manipulate the joint.

In contrast, full extension is a close-packed position where ligaments are taut and the joint is more stable with the surfaces highly congruent, leaving less room for movement. A 90-degree bend is not a resting position, and neutral with slight flexion is not the typical loose-packed range. So the best resting position is around 25 degrees of flexion.