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MSC Week 3: Knee Practice Exam Questions
and Correct Answers
What are the three compartments of the knee? Ans: medial
tibiofemoral, lateral tibiofemoral, patellofemoral
What are the three bones that make up the knee? Ans: tibia,
femur, patella
What will bone cement appear as on an x-ray? Ans: white hazy
marks around implants
Which compartment on the knee is most commonly worn out?
Ans: Medial compartment
What is the anatomical axes? Ans: represents a straight line down
the medullary cavity of the femur
What is the mechanical axes? Ans: represents straight line thru
center of femoral head --> cent of knee --> center of ankle
What is the functional axes? Ans: axes around which limbs rotate
(how the knee operates)
What is varus? What is a more common term for a varus knee?
Ans: Inward angulation; bowlegged
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What is valgus? What is a more common term for a valgus knee?
Ans: Outward angulation; knock-kneed
Do varus knees have medial or lateral wear? Ans: Medial
Do valgus knees have medial or lateral wear? Ans: Lateral
What is the desired degree of flexion for a knee after a TKA has
been performed? Ans: 125-135 degrees
What is the modern knee system called? Ans: Medial Pivot
What are the 3 arcs of motion? Ans: screw home arc
functional arc
deep flexion arc
Describe screw home arc Ans: Passive
Tibia rotates before flex/extension occurs
Describe functional arc Ans: Active
When quads active and begin to work as the knee enters flexion
Describe Deep flexion Ans: Passive
When knee passes 120 degrees, the tibia rotates again
© 2025 All rights reserved
MSC Week 3: Knee Practice Exam Questions
and Correct Answers
What are the three compartments of the knee? Ans: medial
tibiofemoral, lateral tibiofemoral, patellofemoral
What are the three bones that make up the knee? Ans: tibia,
femur, patella
What will bone cement appear as on an x-ray? Ans: white hazy
marks around implants
Which compartment on the knee is most commonly worn out?
Ans: Medial compartment
What is the anatomical axes? Ans: represents a straight line down
the medullary cavity of the femur
What is the mechanical axes? Ans: represents straight line thru
center of femoral head --> cent of knee --> center of ankle
What is the functional axes? Ans: axes around which limbs rotate
(how the knee operates)
What is varus? What is a more common term for a varus knee?
Ans: Inward angulation; bowlegged
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
What is valgus? What is a more common term for a valgus knee?
Ans: Outward angulation; knock-kneed
Do varus knees have medial or lateral wear? Ans: Medial
Do valgus knees have medial or lateral wear? Ans: Lateral
What is the desired degree of flexion for a knee after a TKA has
been performed? Ans: 125-135 degrees
What is the modern knee system called? Ans: Medial Pivot
What are the 3 arcs of motion? Ans: screw home arc
functional arc
deep flexion arc
Describe screw home arc Ans: Passive
Tibia rotates before flex/extension occurs
Describe functional arc Ans: Active
When quads active and begin to work as the knee enters flexion
Describe Deep flexion Ans: Passive
When knee passes 120 degrees, the tibia rotates again
© 2025 All rights reserved
