Condition guide
Genu Recurvatum (Hyperextended Knee) - Overview
Genu recurvatum means the knee extends beyond a straight position. It can reflect natural flexibility or a symptomatic problem involving bone alignment, joint tissues or muscle control.
Symptoms
- Backwards knee movement beyond straight when standing or walking
- Pain or a feeling that the knee may give way
- Difficulty with walking or activity when the hyperextension is symptomatic
- Some people have no symptoms
Causes & Risk Factors
- Greater-than-usual ligament or joint-capsule looseness
- Previous injury affecting ligaments or the upper shin bone
- Differences in bone alignment
- Neurological or muscle-control conditions
Diagnosis
- Assessment of symptoms, prior injuries and knee movement
- Evaluation of walking, muscle control and joint stability
- Imaging when needed to assess bone alignment or an associated injury
Effective Treatment Options
- Rehabilitation tailored to the cause, including strength and walking-control training
- A fitted brace when an assessing clinician recommends limiting hyperextension
- Orthopaedic assessment for persistent symptomatic instability or a structural problem
Frequently Asked Questions
Can genu recurvatum be corrected with exercise?
Exercise can support strength and movement control, but treatment depends on the cause. An assessment helps determine whether rehabilitation, bracing or specialist care is appropriate.
Is genu recurvatum harmful?
Some knees hyperextend without symptoms. Pain, repeated giving way or a change after injury warrants an assessment.
When does a new knee hyperextension injury need urgent attention?
Seek urgent medical attention for severe pain, increasing swelling or an inability to move the knee after an injury. A new injury can involve ligament damage.
Sources and further reading
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