polvet

Polvet is the Finnish plural form of polvi, meaning knees. Anatomically, knees are complex hinge joints that connect the thigh (femur) to the lower leg (tibia and fibula) and include the patella (kneecap). Key internal structures are articular cartilage, two menisci that cushion and stabilize the joint, major ligaments (anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, medial and lateral collateral ligaments), a synovial membrane that produces lubricating fluid, and surrounding muscles and tendons that control movement.

Functionally, knees enable flexion and extension, contribute to rotational adjustments during gait, and bear substantial loads during standing, walking, running, and jumping. Because of these demands, knees are prone to acute and chronic problems. Common conditions include ligament tears (notably the anterior cruciate ligament), meniscal injuries, osteoarthritis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, bursitis, and inflammatory arthritis.

Diagnosis of knee disorders typically involves clinical examination supplemented by imaging such as X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI. Treatment ranges from conservative measures—rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), analgesics, physiotherapy, and injections—to surgical interventions including arthroscopy, ligament reconstruction, and total or partial knee arthroplasty. Prevention strategies emphasize muscle strengthening (particularly quadriceps and hamstrings), flexibility, maintaining healthy weight, appropriate footwear, and gradual progression of activity.

In language and culture, polvet refers not only to the anatomical knees but also appears in idiomatic expressions in Finnish and other contexts where knees symbolize support, vulnerability, or readiness to act.