Knee hyperextension – what does it look like? Treatment of knee hyperextension

Knee hyperextension is the most common – next to elbow and spine hyperextension – ailment, which consists in increased flexibility of joints and skin. Often the coexisting symptom is impaired proper course of the wound healing process. Knee hyperextension may be due to a genetic predisposition, but it may also be a mechanical trauma or a consequence of an illness such as Marfan or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. What are the symptoms of a knee hyperextension? Can knee hyperextension be treated?

Knee hyperextension – symptoms

Knee hyperextension is a condition that manifests itself as an over-flexible knee joint. This means that the range of motion of the knee joint is significantly changed and it is possible to move it beyond its physiological plane of motion. In addition, there may be effusion within the knee joint, numerous hematomas that appear easily and the feeling of “escaping” knee. Knee hyperextension can generate injury to the tendons and ligaments – then there is a stabbing, severe pain that is felt in the area of ​​tissue damage. For a sore knee, use Visiomed KINECARE VM-GB6 knee compress available at a favorable price at medonetmarket.pl.

Knee hyperextension has sometimes been found to be associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. It is a genetic condition. This disease consists of abnormal synthesis of connective tissue. As a result, the mobility of the joints is significantly increased, which results in the possibility of movements in non-physiological axes.

The advancement of pathologically altered joint mobility is subject to the criteria of the so-called Beighton scale. For Ehlers-Danlos syndrome to be diagnosed, at least three out of six criteria must be met. One of the criteria is, for example, the ability to lay your hand flat on the ground while extending your knee joints. However, a significant amount of collagen also contributes to the excessive elasticity of the skin. This makes the skin more vulnerable to injury.

The symptom of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is not only excessive elasticity of the skin and joints, but also changes in the internal organs, which include, for example, intestinal disruption, retinal detachment or defects in blood vessels. In addition, there may be: scoliosis, flat feet, collapsed joints, which are habitual.

People who suffer from knee hyperextension usually do not feel the moment when the joint bends pathologically, which necessitates visits to the physiotherapist’s office.

Knee Hyperextension – Causes

One of the causes of knee hyperextension is neglect during childhood. This is because children have a natural tendency to have their legs incorrectly positioned when they sit down, walk or run. A direct consequence of such activities may be malformations of the spine, e.g. lordosis, which in turn may result in knee hyperextension. This ailment may also result from genetic predisposition, which can generate weakness and relaxation of soft tissues designed to stabilize the knee joint and deformation within this joint.

Knee hyperextension can be caused by bad posture habits, such as pushing the knee joints backwards, incorrectly positioning the legs while sitting, or keeping the laptop on your feet. The causes of knee hyperextension may also be associated with locomotor system defects, such as the aforementioned lordosis, contracture of the hip joints or an inclined pelvis.

Among the reasons you can also mention the so-called hypermobility, i.e. increased mobility of the knee joint, excessive muscle tension in the thighs, flat feet (caused by weakened foot muscles) and impaired mobility of the ankle joint generating incorrect foot positioning.

Knee hyperextension – treatment

If your child has a knee hyperextension, act quickly. Otherwise, it may lead to the formation of the so-called valgus knees, i.e. pathological bending of the knee joints and placing the legs inwards (resembling the letter X).

Physiotherapy should then be started as soon as possible, because the quick action allows for the regeneration and strengthening of the muscles. This allows the knee joint to be kept in the correct plane.

However, the hyperextension of the knee may result from an injury, which will require an X-ray examination to assess the severity of the damage. Sometimes, in the treatment of knee hyperextension, it is necessary to perform a surgical operation and subsequent immobilization of the knee joint. This, in turn, requires rehabilitation.

If the knee hyperextension is due to posture defects, it is necessary to perform certain corrective exercises. Knee hyperextension should be treated in an orthopedic clinic, as failure to do so may lead to a degenerative disease.

Knee hyperextension – prognosis

The prognosis depends on the cause of the knee hyperextension.

Knee hyperextension – prophylaxis

Prophylaxis in the case of knee hyperextension should be implemented already in young children, as improper body posture may cause the above-mentioned symptoms. If left untreated, knee hyperextension can cause ligament injuries, tendons, or joint degeneration.

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