Your ability to extend your knee beyond a straightened position is limited. This restriction is what helps you stand up straight with little conscious effort. If your knee goes too far in this direction, it causes pain and plenty of damage to the joint in a condition best referred to as knee hyperextension.
What Are the Consequences of Knee Hyperextension?
As the knee joint functions to facilitate movement while providing structural integrity to the leg, any damage comprises these abilities. If you have hyperextended your knee, you can expect to be in a significant amount of pain. Adding to this is the instability caused by pressure on a joint that is no longer able to bear your bodyweight. As your body reacts to the damage inflicted you can expect your knee to swell up considerably. The swelling contributes to the loss of mobility resulting from the loss of integrity of vital ligaments and tendons within the knee.
How Can I Treat Knee Hyperextension?
When you initially injure your knee as a result of hyperextension, you will have to rest up for a few days before you even think about resuming your normal activities. As with many connective tissue injuries like sprains and strains, you'd be well advised to adopt the RICE protocol which aims to limit inflammation and thus allow the body to begin the process of recovery.
The RICE acronym refers to a four step process of Resting the affected joint, using Ice packs to reduce inflammation, Compressing the wounded area to reduce buildup of fluid, and Elevating the affected limb to drain any inflammatory fluids that have seeped into the area.
Once you've followed this approach for a few days, you'll probably start to get somewhat restless. This is entirely natural and should be encouraged. An active recovery is the best recovery whenever it is possible. The optimal way to promote an active recovery of a hyperextended knee joint is to make use of specialized knee brace.
Medical experts have made use of the latest in medical knowledge and material science to develop knee braces for all manner of knee-related conditions. Fortunately, their research has led to the production of high-quality knee braces which provide excellent support for knees that have been hyperextended.
The top knee braces have been designed with function in mind, giving you all the physical support you need while letting you maintain a good range of movement. Check out all the knee braces online and you'll be sure to find the perfect choice for your knee hyperextension injury.