Momentum carries the person forward, but their foot cannot follow, leading to knee hyperextension.
Hyperextension and the PCL
Hyperextension is a classical modus of injury of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).
There may also be damage to other structures of the posterolateral corner.
"...Despite considerable attention in the clinical orthopaedic literature (nearly 400 articles published in the last decade), a standardized algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of the PLC is still lacking, and much controversy remains...."
Other relevant links
Hyperextension, Range of motion, Posterior cruciate ligament, Posterolateral corner
Forum discussions
- Help knee hyperextended then loud crunching noise in back of it - Patient has problems after a hyperextension injury