Genu Recurvatum
A 16-year-old female high school athlete presents to the orthopaedic clinic with complaints of knee pain and instability in both legs, particularly after physical activities like running and jumping. She plays basketball regularly and has noticed her knees tend to hyperextend when she lands after jumping. Over the past few months, the pain has gradually worsened, and she feels like her knees are giving way at times.
On physical examination, both knees exhibit hyperextension beyond the normal range, consistent with genu recurvatum. There is no significant swelling, but tenderness is noted around the knee joint, especially in the posterior area. Ligament tests show some laxity but no complete tears. The patient’s height and weight are normal, and there is no history of trauma.
The diagnosis is bilateral genu recurvatum, likely related to joint laxity and repetitive stress from her athletic activities. The treatment plan includes physical therapy focused on strengthening the quadriceps and hamstring muscles to provide better knee stability. She is advised to reduce high-impact activities for a few weeks and is fitted with knee braces to prevent hyperextension during sports. Follow-up is scheduled to assess her progress.
a). Swimming
b). Basketball
c). Cycling
d). Walking
a). Knee swelling
b). Hyperextension of the knees
c). Bowed legs
d). Limited knee mobility
a). Surgery
b). Corticosteroid injections
c). Physical therapy and knee bracing
d). Complete bed rest
a). Calf muscles
b). Quadriceps and hamstrings
c). Gluteal muscles
d). Abdominal muscles
