Among the problems that we can suffer in our body, there are many that can occur and that affect different parts of it.. In this case we are going to talk about the causes and treatment of knee hyperextension, that although it may be normal, in some cases it can give symptoms and have very negative consequences for those who suffer from it.
Index
What is knee hyperextension?
The knee hyperextension occurs when the knee extends beyond 180 degrees or reference zero position in the sagittal plane, something that happens as a consequence of the alteration of different biomechanical aspects, that usually have to do with the physiological state of the adult, being symmetrical, bilateral, of constitutional origin and without symptoms.
Nevertheless, It can also be a congenital or acquired problem, being in the latter case, as usual, symptomatic and asymmetric, which in turn means that it should be considered pathological.
Causes of knee hyperextension
The causes that provoke the appearance of a knee hyperextension depend on the type of genu recurvatum, although there are also other factors that may have a direct relationship with the deformity that can occur in this part of the body. Among the possible causes we must highlight the following:
- Lower limb length discrepancy.
- The alignment of the femur and tibia is not adequate.
- Appearance of connective tissue disorders.
- Muscular dystrophy.
- limited dorsiflexion.
- Laxity in the knee ligaments.
- Weakness of the biceps femoris muscle, popliteal, gastrocnemius or hip extensor muscles.
- Malunion of the bones surrounding the knee.
- Joint instability due to ligament and joint capsule injuries.
- Deficit in joint proprioception.
- Cerebral palsy.
Constitutional bent knee
when talking about knee hyperextension we have to find that there are different types of it. The first is the constitutional knee hyperextension, which generally has an overall angle less than the 15 degrees, is symmetric, bilateral, and usually asymptomatic. As a general rule, it is given by a constitutional ligamentous hyperlaxity.
In many cases it has to do with the instability of the kneecap, with pseudo patella alta, of which is one of its secondary factors that is considered to be flattering.
congenital genu recurvatum
In this case we find a congenital dislocation of the knee, also known as arthrogryposis, which can be unilateral or bilateral and occurs infrequently. It is characterized by the fact that there is knee hyperextension greater than 0º, and is linked to the existence of a limitation in flexion.
In this case there is a prominence of the femoral condyles in the popliteal fossa., in addition to an increase in transverse skinfolds on the anterior surface of the knee. Sometimes it is caused by hypermobility that occurs when we are born, and that it regresses after the years have passed by means of orthopedic devices that cause the knee to be in a slight flexion.
Nevertheless, It can also have other causes.. In this case, the existence of serious anomalies in the neuromuscular system could be ruled out., condodysphthrophies and multiple congenital arthrathrogryposis.
Acquired bent knee
When we talk about the acquired knee hyperextension This takes place as a consequence of suffering from a ligamentous lesion, bone or mixed knee. In this case, a clinical radiological study must be carried out in which it is measured and the bone part is evaluated., ya sea tibial o femoral, and then the ligamentous part in the case of a mixed recurvatum.
Symptoms of knee hyperextension
The knee hyperextension It can occur at different levels of severity, which implies that the symptoms of the lesion depend on different factors, both the type of hyperextension and the body of each person, without forgetting the total force of the knee joint.
In any case, orientatively, We can talk about some of the symptoms that occur most frequently among people who suffer from knee hyperextension, what are the following:
- Appearance of pain in the knees.
- Unsightly knee deformities.
- Tibiofemoral or patellofemoral instability.
- Reduced mobility of the knee.
- swellings.
- Weakness in the lower limb.
- Difficulty walking on uneven surfaces, as well as when carrying out sports practice.
- Inequality in the length of the lower limbs.
Treatment for knee hyperextension
Once you know the different symptoms and types of knee hyperextension that can be suffered, we find ourselves with the need to know how to deal with this problem that can affect a greater number of people than you might think.
In this sense, it is necessary to know that the treatment of the knee hyperextension requires a complete clinical and radiological study of the anomaly suffered by the patient, as well as the possible deformations associated with it, so the final treatment will depend on each particular case..
In this way, It will be the doctor who has to make the diagnosis and evaluate what is the best way to deal with the problem suffered by the patient so that he can find the solution to his problem..
In any case, we can indicate that, generally, the use of braces and splints, which are responsible for limiting the extension and prevent the position in recurvatum.
in addition, the use of knee pads specially designed for knee hyperextension can be used, so that it is an orthosis that limits the range of posterior movement of the knee and the correction of the postural pattern of this, causing the tibiofemoral joint to stabilize in the anteroposterior plane, and preventing a recurvatum position from being reached.
Nevertheless, Sometimes this type of solution is not enough and a surgical intervention is needed..