Adhesions in the soft tissue folds around the knee can lock up both flexion and extension.
First published in 2017, and reviewed August 2023 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)
Some people have no problem with full extension during rehabilitation, but find that they are unable to regain full flexion.
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Early causes of problems with flexion might include:
- adhesions in the suprapatellar pouch
- adhesions in the capsular gutters on the side of the joint cavity adjacent to the sides of the tibia
- adhesions in the capsular pouches in the same region but adjacent to the sides of the femur
- adhesions under the quadriceps muscle in the region of the suprapatellar pouch
- tight retinacular tissues to the sides of the patella, with limited side-to-side patellar mobility
Later causes of problems with flexion might include:
- shortening of the quadriceps muscle
- shortening of the patellar tendon
- adhesion of the patellar tendon to the tibia