Skin of knee

Looks like

Thick skin over the kneecap, and thin skin in the hollow behind the knee.

What it does

Stretches over the kneecap when kneeling and folds behind it when the leg bends.

Keeping it well

Grazes here need cleaning well. The hollow behind the knee is a common place for eczema; a swelling there may be a cyst.

Related conditions

• ACL & meniscus injury
• Baker's (popliteal) cyst
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Growing pains
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
• Lymphoedema
• Pseudogout (calcium pyrophosphate disease)
• Reactive arthritis
• Restless legs syndrome
• Septic arthritis
• Varicose veins