ABSTRACT
Genu recurvatum is a common entity found in the clinic that my have negative consequence to knee structures. The purpose of this article is to review the anatomy, biomechanics, and clinical effects associated with genu recurvatum. Genu recurvatum is operationally defined as knee extension greater than 5 degrees. Individuals who exhibit genu recurvatum may experience knee pain, display an extension gait pattern, and have poor proprioceptive control of terminal knee extension. An evaluative process and treatment program are discussed that include muscle imbalance correction, proprioceptive practice, gait, and functional training. Taping or knee bracing may be used initially to facilitate knee control. This article is intended to draw attention to patients with genu recurvatum and presents a suggested treatment progression. Individuals who are involved in athletic endeavors should be aware of knee position during activities to help protect joint structures.
Subject(s)
Joint Deformities, Acquired , Knee Joint , Humans , Joint Deformities, Acquired/pathology , Joint Deformities, Acquired/physiopathology , Joint Deformities, Acquired/rehabilitation , Joint Instability/pathology , Joint Instability/physiopathology , Joint Instability/rehabilitation , Knee Joint/anatomy & histology , Knee Joint/physiopathology , Posture/physiology , SyndromeABSTRACT
Female participation in athletics has increased dramatically over the last decade. Accompanying the increase in participation in sports is the increase incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between static postural faults in female athletes and the prevalence of noncontact ACL injury. Twenty ACL-injured females and 20 age-matched controls were evaluated. Seven variables were measured: standing pelvic position, hip position, standing sagittal knee position, standing frontal knee position, hamstring length, prone subtalar joint position, and navicular drop test. A conditional step-wise logistic regression analysis revealed the factors of knee recurvatum, an excessive navicular drop, and excessive subtalar joint pronation to be significant discriminators between the ACL-injured and noninjured groups. These findings may have implications regarding rehabilitation techniques in physical therapy.
