KNEE HYPEREXTENSION IN STANCE


This common gait deficit occurs when the quadriceps fail to perform their customary role during LOADING RESPONSE and the first part of midstance. The quadriceps may not act appropriately in the event of:

When the knee extensors fail to control the ground reaction force's knee flexor moment, THE PERSON MUST COMPENSATE TO PRESERVE KNEE STABILITY.

THESE COMPENSATIONS WILL LIKELY HYPEREXTEND THE KNEE DURING STANCE. THE COMPENSATIONS MIGHT INCLUDE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:

  1. SUBSTITUTION OF ANOTHER MUSCLE IN A CLOSED CHAIN FOR EXAMPLE,
    • INCREASED HIP EXTENSOR FORCE
    • INCREASED ANKLE PLANTAR FLEXOR FORCE

  2. MOTIONS THAT RELOCATE THE GRF VECTOR, CHANGING THE MOMENT THE GRF PRODUCES AT A JOINT. FOR EXAMPLE,

  3. MOTIONS THAT RELOCATE THE JOINT AXIS, CHANGING THE MOMENT THE GRF PRODUCES AT A JOINT FOR EXAMPLE,
    • DECREASED FORWARD PELVIC ROTATION

Last updated 5-15-98 ©Dave Thompson PT
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