Medicine:Genu recurvatum

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Short description: Orthopedic deformity
Genu recurvatum
Ella Harper (The Camel Girl).jpg
Ella Harper, a sideshow performer, had genu recurvatum and was billed as "The Camel Girl."[1]

Genu recurvatum is a deformity in the knee joint, so that the knee bends backwards. In this deformity, excessive extension occurs in the tibiofemoral joint. Genu recurvatum is also called knee hyperextension and back knee. This deformity is more common in women[citation needed] and people with familial ligamentous laxity.[2] Hyperextension of the knee may be mild, moderate or severe.

The normal range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint is from 0 to 135 degrees in an adult. Full knee extension should be no more than 10 degrees. In genu recurvatum, normal extension is increased. The development of genu recurvatum may lead to knee pain and knee osteoarthritis.

Causes

A girl with genu recurvatum of her right leg due to polio

The following factors may be involved in causing this deformity:[citation needed]

Pathophysiology

The most important factors of knee stability include:[citation needed]

  • Ligaments of the knee: The knee joint is stabilized by four main ligaments:
    • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The ACL has an important role in stabilization of knee extension movement by preventing the knee from hyperextending.
    • Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
    • Medial collateral ligament (MCL)
    • Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
  • Joint capsule or articular capsule (especially posterior knee capsule)
  • Quadriceps femoris muscle
  • Appropriate alignment of the femur and tibia (especially in knee extension position )

Treatment

Treatment generally includes the following:[citation needed]

  • Sometimes pharmacologic therapy for initial disease treatment
  • Physical therapy: physiotherapy will be beneficial in patient with complaint of pain, discomfort.
  • Occupational therapy
  • Use of appropriate assistive devices such as orthoses
  • Surgery

Incidence

This condition is considered to be rare, with about 1 in 100,000 births being affected by the congenital form of genu recurvatum,[3] although it's a common feature in some disorders, such as in joint hypermobility, which affects 1 in 30 people.[4]

See also

References

External links

Classification