What is genu recurvatum?

What is genu recurvatum?

• A. Flexion contracture of the knee.
• B. Osteoarthritis progression.
• C. Hyperextension of the knee; tight gastrocnemius/hamstrings, weak quadriceps and hamstring stabilisers.
• D. Normal knee motion pattern.

Answer: (C)

Genu recurvatum is knee hyperextension, meaning the knee extends beyond the normal straight position during standing or gait. It isn’t a flexion contracture (that would keep the knee bent); instead, it allows the knee to go into extension past neutral. This condition often arises when the ankle can’t dorsiflex adequately because of tight calf muscles (gastrocnemius) or when the stabilizing structures around the knee are weak, such as the quadriceps and the hamstring stabilizers. With limited ankle dorsiflexion, the leg may compensate by letting the knee lock into hyperextension during stance to maintain forward progression. Weak knee stabilizers also reduce the ability to control and stop the knee from moving into excess extension. It’s not about osteoarthritis progression, nor is it just a normal variation in knee motion; genu recurvatum represents an abnormal pattern of hyperextension that can be influenced by muscle tightness and weakness.

Genu recurvatum is knee hyperextension, meaning the knee extends beyond the normal straight position during standing or gait. It isn’t a flexion contracture (that would keep the knee bent); instead, it allows the knee to go into extension past neutral.

This condition often arises when the ankle can’t dorsiflex adequately because of tight calf muscles (gastrocnemius) or when the stabilizing structures around the knee are weak, such as the quadriceps and the hamstring stabilizers. With limited ankle dorsiflexion, the leg may compensate by letting the knee lock into hyperextension during stance to maintain forward progression. Weak knee stabilizers also reduce the ability to control and stop the knee from moving into excess extension.

It’s not about osteoarthritis progression, nor is it just a normal variation in knee motion; genu recurvatum represents an abnormal pattern of hyperextension that can be influenced by muscle tightness and weakness.