Hyperextension injury

Written by Dr Sheila Strover on March 14, 2025

A hyperextension injury is one caused by excessive hyperextension (knee bending backwards). Page updated July 2024 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)

hyperextension injuryMomentum 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.

Peer-reviewed papers
  • Quote from peer-reviewed paper:

    "...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...."

    Citation: Figueroa F, Figueroa D, Putnis S, Guiloff R, Caro P, Espregueira-Mendes J. Posterolateral corner knee injuries: a narrative review. EFORT Open Rev. 2021 Aug 10;6(8):676-685. doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200096. PMID: 34532075; PMCID: PMC8419800.

End of papers

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