In this example, the assistant places a rolled-up towel under the knee and then helps to straighten the leg to increase extension.
The importance of regaining knee extension
The last few degrees of extension are important in allowing the knee to lock back when standing still in a relaxed position.
This puts less strain on the trunk and lower back.
"....When the knee joint is extended, the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments get tangled and tightened if the tibia is rotated externally with respect to the femur (screw-home movement). Consequently, the knee joint becomes locked in a position; the tibia becoming more stable as compared to the femur. Therefore, the screw-home movement stabilizes the knee joint in the extended position...."
"....unilateral knee extension restriction changed trunk alignment and increased the mechanical load of the lumbar region during walking [and]....the mechanical load became more pronounced as the angle of knee restriction increased...."
Forum discussions
- Continuing pain and ROM problems 7 month after TKR - Patient struggling with range of motion after surgery.