Knee-capping

Knee-capping is a form of malicious wounding, often as extralegal punishment or torture, in which the victim is injured in the knee, usually using a firearm to damage the knee joint and kneecap.

Use
This practice was common among paramilitaries in Italy and Northern Ireland and has been reported from Gaza. Contrary to popular belief, the patella (knee cap) is usually not injured in these incidents; rather damage to soft tissues that include nerves and arteries is the primary target.