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Capsule

A capsule is a container which surrounds and protects something. In the context of the knee, the knee capsule is a complex of anatomical structures - fibrous material, tendons and ligaments - surrounding the inner joint.

Damage to the medial (inner aspect) capsular structures is more common, but damage to the lateral structures is usually more serious.

The important postero-lateral corner In particular, damage to the postero-lateral structures (to the rear side of the outer aspect of the knee) leads to instability, and the damage may be to one or several of:

• lateral collateral ligament
• biceps femoris tendon
• small ligaments attaching to the back of the meniscus and fibular bone
• gastrocnemius muscle