Knee hyperextension and “hypermobility”

Have you noticed or have been told that you are hypermobile? Do your knee’s “lock” or straighten beyond normal extension? Do your knees sometimes “give way.”

Knee hyperextension is a condition in which the knee joint goes beyond its normal range of motion. This can put you at risk of knee hyperextension injuries such as irritation of the patella fat pad which can cause pain, discomfort and instability. Knee hyperextension can also affect your entire posture, causing your pelvis to tilt anteriorly which can also result in lower back or hip pain. Physiotherapy can play a vital role in both recovery from an hyperextension injury as well as preventing further injuries from occurring in the future.

What is knee hyperextension?

Knee hyperextension is where the knee joint goes beyond its normal range of motion causing the knee to bend backwards. This can occur from trauma such as a fall or from repetitive loading and stress through the knee joint such as from running or jumping.

How Physiotherapy can help

Physiotherapy can play a vital recovery in both recovery and prevention of knee injuries. Physiotherapy can utilise manual therapy techniques such as soft tissue releases, mobilisations, taping or needling in order to reduce the initial pain and swelling as well as prescribe you with specific evidence based exercises to strength and regain normal function and stability of your knee.

Physiotherapists will assess your biomechanics and address any contributing factors including foot biomechanics, as well as ankle or hip alignment. A common presentation with hypermobile patients is that their posterior muscle chain is weak and stretched resulting in reduced control and shock absorption through the knee joints. Physiotherapy aims to address the weak and unstable areas in order to strengthen both the muscles, tendons and ligaments surrounding your knee joint.

Don’t wait to seek treatment, book in your physiotherapy session today.