Hyperextension is when the knee can bend a bit backwards.
Page updated November 2023 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)
Knee range of motion, showing that the normal knee may slightly hyperextend - in this case to -6 degrees.
Range of motion of the knee
A normal range of motion at the knee includes flexion, extension and a small amount of hyperextension.
Quick links
Forum discussions
- "trapped in "grey" area lax ACL"
A patient explains about lax ACL after an hyperextension event..
Peer-reviewed papers
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Quote:
"...patients with joint hypermobility run an elevated risk of both graft re-rupture and contralateral ACL rupture."
Citation: Sundemo D, Mikkelsen C, Cristiani R, Forssblad M, Senorski EH, Svantesson E, Samuelsson K, Stålman A. Contralateral knee hyperextension is associated with increased anterior tibial translation and fewer meniscal injuries in the anterior cruciate ligament-injured knee. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2018 Oct;26(10):3020-3028. doi: 10.1007/s00167-018-5047-7. Epub 2018 Jul 4. PMID: 29974175; PMCID: PMC6154035.
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