Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeons treating Hyperextension of the Knee

HYPEREXTENSION OF THE KNEE

A hyperextended knee occurs when the knee is bent backward, often as a result of landing wrong after a jump. Hyperextension of the knee can damage ligaments, cartilage, and other stabilizing structures in the knee.

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Hyperextension of the Knee

Knee HyperextensionWhen the leg is excessively straightened or bent backward at the knee joint, a condition known as hyperextension of the knee results. This places stress on the knee structures and the rear of the knee joint. Though it may happen to anybody, hyperextension of the knee is more frequent in athletes, particularly those who participate in sports like football, soccer, skiing, or lacrosse. A direct impact on the knee or forces produced by a sudden stop or deceleration is frequently to blame.

Female athletes, particularly those who take part in high-energy sports, are more likely than males to get knee injuries due to higher joint instability, according to the American Journal of Sports Medicine. The knee joint bends incorrectly during hyperextension, which frequently causes swelling, discomfort, and tissue damage. The popliteal ligament, which runs down the back of the knee, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) may sprain or rupture in extreme circumstances.

Symptoms

Instability of the knee

Your child could have instability in his or her knee joint following a hyperextension injury. It’s common for children to feel as though their leg is “giving out” when they’re walking or when trying to stand on one leg.

Pain

Following hyperextension, one might anticipate localized knee soreness. When ligaments or other components are harmed or torn, pain can range from moderate to severe and often becomes worse. The knee’s back or the area in front of the knee joint might experience discomfort that ranges from a dull ache to searing agony.

Decreased mobility

After a hyperextension injury, a child may have difficulty flexing and extending his or her leg. This can occur due to swelling around the knee that can limit the range of motion, or damage to internal structures such as the ACL, PCL, popliteal ligament, or meniscus.

Swelling and bruising

Injuries can cause immediate or delayed swelling and bruising in and around the knee. This can be mild or more severe and is the body’s reaction to damaged tissue.

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What causes hyperextension of the knee in children, and what are the common symptoms?
  • Causes: Hyperextension of the knee in children can result from various factors.  These include sudden impact, falls, sports injuries, or underlying hypermobility of the joints. It can also be associated with certain sports or activities that involve excessive stretching or force on the knee joint.
  • Common Symptoms: Children with hyperextension of the knee may experience pain, swelling, tenderness, and instability in the knee joint. Some may also notice bruising, limited range of motion, or a feeling of the knee “giving way.”
How is hyperextension of the knee diagnosed, and what is the recommended treatment?
  • Diagnosis: Diagnosis typically involves a doctor’s physical examination to assess the range of motion, stability, and any associated injuries. Doctors may order X-rays or other imaging studies to rule out fractures or other structural damage.
  • Treatment: Treatment for hyperextension of the knee in children depends on the severity of the injury. Mild cases may be managed with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), along with pain relievers. For more severe cases or when ligament damage occurs, a healthcare provider may recommend bracing, physical therapy, and a rehabilitation program to strengthen the knee and improve stability. In rare instances of severe ligament injury, doctors may recommend surgical intervention.
What are the potential long-term effects of hyperextension of the knee in children, and how can it be prevented?
  • Long-Term Effects: The long-term effects of hyperextension of the knee in children can vary. In many cases, with appropriate treatment and rehabilitation, children can recover fully and regain normal function. However, if left untreated or if the injury is severe, there is a risk of chronic instability, recurrent knee problems, and a higher likelihood of future knee injuries.
  • Prevention: To prevent hyperextension injuries in children, it’s important to emphasize proper warm-up and conditioning exercises before participating in sports or activities. Wearing appropriate protective gear, such as knee braces, may also help reduce the risk. Encouraging children to practice good form and technique during sports or activities that stress the knee joint can further minimize the risk of hyperextension injuries.
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As with any musculoskeletal injury, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential to minimize the risk of long-term complications and ensure a safe and effective recovery for children with hyperextension of the knee.

Healing a Child’s hyperextension of the knee takes expertise and the doctors at Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists have the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to properly heal Children’s bones.

Causes of Hyperextension of the Knee

As mentioned earlier, a hyperextended knee refers to the knee joint when it bends backward and causes swelling and tissue damage. The ACL and PCL, the two ligaments in the center of the knee, sustain the majority of the damage. These ligaments aid in regulating the mobility of your child’s shinbone and join the thigh bone to the shinbone. A hyperextended knee might result from a terrible landing after a jump or after a severe fall. Although anybody can develop this condition, athletes are more prone to engage in activities that harm their ligaments.

This is due to the fact that direct knee strikes usually result in knee hyperextension when playing high-impact sports like gymnastics, basketball, and soccer. Knee issues can also occur in persons who have weak muscles, have had prior knee injuries, are overweight, or are obese. In young children, knee hyperextension can also result in tiny bone fragments breaking off the primary bone.

Treatment for Hyperextended Knee

Depending on the injury’s severity, knee hyperextension treatment may vary, but the best place to start is by resting the knee:

Protect and Rest

After knee hyperextension, it’s critical to safeguard the knee against more damage. This can include using crutches or a knee brace. Due to the stretching of the knee ligaments, a hyperextended knee is prone to more injury. Due to the increased risk of subsequent knee injuries, it is crucial to guard against any harm to the knee. Your child must take a break from athletics until the discomfort and swelling go down. There are knee exercises that will help maintain strong and flexible knees and also aid in decreasing knee swelling. To protect the knee from becoming stiff and tight while your child is resting, doctors recommend that the knee stay completely straight.

Ice Therapy

A hyperextended knee might benefit from regular ice application to lessen discomfort and edema. Your child will restore his or her knee’s mobility, strength, and stability as soon as the swelling is reduced. It’s crucial to apply ice quickly in order to begin the healing process.

Elevation

Even though it seems straightforward, keeping the leg up as your child rests might help to lessen knee swelling. For maximum effect, the knee should stay elevated above the level of the heart. Gravity aids in the fluid’s drainage from the knee so that the body can absorb it and lessen knee swelling.

Knee Rehab

Your child may fully heal from a hyperextended knee and stop further issues by performing strengthening and stability exercises. Sometimes it is important to embark on a rehab program with a physical therapist.  Especially, if your child has injured any of the soft tissues around the knee, such as ligaments or cartilage. Our doctors will work with your child to guarantee a thorough recovery.  This will ensure that your child won’t experience any long-term instability or pain from the hyperextended knee.

Surgery for Hyperextension of the Knee

If your child has a serious sprain, he or she could require ligament repair surgery, during which a tendon from another part of the knee or hamstring is removed and utilized to replace the injured ligament. Your child might have to perform physiotherapy exercises as he or she recovers from this operation to improve the leg muscles. To increase joint stability your child can also put on a knee brace. Over 80% of the time, ACL surgery completely recovers knee functioning. If the initial procedure fails, our doctor could advise further ligament procedures.

The outcomes of further procedures, however, may be worse in the long run and more challenging. Overall, this operation may leave some edema and soreness. This may be the case if the knee hyperextension and any other knee injuries, such as a cartilage rupture, occurred simultaneously. In some circumstances, improved knee joint mobility following surgery might provide positive effects. This is due to the fact that the tendon utilized to repair the damaged ligament will eventually extend. A minor possibility of infection, long-term knee stiffness, and leg blood clots exist after surgery. Meanwhile, even small knee injuries might raise the risk of suffering another knee injury later on. You and your child can take part in injury prevention initiatives to reduce this risk.

Recovery Time after Surgery for Hyperextension of the Knee

Recovery from mild to moderate sprains due to hyperextension takes 2 to 4 weeks. During this time, it is important to limit activities that can put additional strain on the knee and keep swelling and pain under control. Surgical reconstruction of damaged ligaments often results in complete recovery and restoration of function. Considered the gold standard for ACL injuries, recovery often takes a long time, six months or more. Physiotherapy is necessary to increase strength and return the knee and surrounding muscles to their pre-injury state, which can help reduce recovery time.

Takeaway

Knee hyperextension injuries can range in severity from a minor tendon strain to a serious one. High-impact sports participants are more likely to experience knee hyperextension and tendon rupture. Maintaining enough strength in the quadriceps and other surrounding muscles, as well as having a good warm-up and cool-down before and after any workout or sports event, are key to preventing knee hyperextension.  By understanding the stages of bone healing and providing proper nutritional support, parents can facilitate and enhance the healing process. The Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists has offices in ArlingtonDallas, Flower Mound, Frisco, and McKinney, TX.  We specialize in Children.

As specialists, Doctors Richard Hostin, MD,  Shyam Kishan, MD, and Kathryn Wiesman, MD treat children for minor and major medical problems.  We invite new patients to call and make an appointment.  We will see your child quickly and find a solution to get your child back to being the kid he or she is.

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Footnote:

WebMD: Hyperextension of the Knee

 

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