Simply having poor posture is one reason, which happens when the core muscles are not properly controlled or are weak. It can also be congenital, which means you were born with it, but in that case, it's usually equal on both sides. Another possibility, and one we see a lot, is a loose or torn PCL (1).
Hyperextension of the knees happens because some people have loose ligaments and tendons around the knee joint. Often these people have looseness globally. They also may have pelvic misalignment like anterior pelvic tilt, posterior pelvic tilt or hyperextension of the the hip joint (or sway back).
Rest: Avoid the activity that caused your injury. Don't overuse your knee while it heals. Ice: Apply a cold compress to your knee for 15 minutes at a time, four times a day. Compression: You can wrap your knee in an elastic bandage to help reduce swelling.
Knee hyperextension can be caused by several causes. These include muscle weakness, especially of the muscles in the top of the thigh (quadriceps), it can be due to injury, or it can occur due to the shape of one's bones at their knee.
People who experience a hyperextended knee injury may see full recovery following their injury. A person must seek medical attention as soon as possible following the injury and follow all recommended treatment advice for the best chance of full recovery.
A hyperextended knee can also lead to severe ligament damage. A mild hyperextended knee can be treated by your chiropractor but serious cases may require surgery. The severity of your condition depends on the nature of the injury as well as your personal level of health.
Ansere: A hyperextended knee can take a few weeks to several months to heal. Most of the time, a mild injury can heal within a month with at-home treatment. On the other hand, it takes about six months to recover if you had surgery to repair a torn ligament.
You can start slow: start with quarter or half squats and build up to full squats as your knees grow stronger. Full Chair Sits-to-Stands. This exercise is just what it sounds like: sit down slowly in a chair, then slowly rise to standing position. Start slowly with a higher chair.
Your knee is said to have hyperextended when your knee joint bends backward and this causes tissue damage and swelling. Most of the damage happens in the ACL and the PCL, which are the two ligaments in the middle of the knee.
Rather than holding ourselves in a stiff, upright posture, Maureen suggests a more neutral stance. Knees should be “soft” and not locked. Locking your knees forces the pelvis and chest to be pushed out, which causes undo stress on the lower back. It is also difficult to maintain proper balance in an unnatural posture.
The correct knee posture in standing is to have “soft knees.” This means they are neither locked, nor extremely bend, the knees only need a slight bend to them.
In severe cases, one or more of the knee ligaments may be over-stretched and either partially or completely tear. This can lead to long-term knee instability if left untreated.
Hyperextensions of the knee can occur to anyone, but are frequently the result of athletic injuries. Athletes who compete in contact sports like football, soccer, or lacrosse are most commonly affected. Other sports, like skiing, may cause the knee joint to suddenly be moved out of position and cause this injury.
Seek immediate medical attention: If your knee injury is accompanied by a deformed joint, a popping noise, the inability to bear weight, intense pain or sudden swelling, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Patellofemoral arthritis is another cause, but in this case the hyperextended knee gait is due to pain as well as muscle weakness.
Recovery time for a hyperextended knee injury varies depending on the severity. In mild to moderate cases, a person may take two to four weeks to recover. In severe cases that require surgery, it may take six months or more to recover completely from surgical repair.
By: Sean Colio, MD, Sports Medicine Physician
Some common methods of treating knee hyperextension include: Anti-inflammatory medications may be used in order to reduce swelling of the knee joint. RICE (resting, icing, compressing and elevating the knee) is advised.
Weak muscles: If the muscles surrounding the knee, such as the quadriceps and hamstrings, are weak, it can cause the knee to hyperextend. Tight muscles: If the muscles surrounding the knee, such as the calf and hamstring, are tight, it can cause the knee to hyperextend.
Knee pain when bending is a common problem for many people and can have numerous underlying causes. Osteoarthritis, meniscus tears, bursitis, ligament strain, and tendonitis are some of the most common causes. Bone fractures or infections in the joint may also cause knee pain.