hyperextended knee question

[Guest guest]

Hey everybody,

I have a question about hyperextended knees...Does anyone here with CMT have

hyperextended knees? If so, how have you dealt with it? My right knee has

always hyperextended somewhat, but not painfully so..I just got new AFOs and

that's when the pain started...it only hurts when walking....I went back to the

orthotist and he said that my old AFOs were broken down to the way my knee and

foot wanted to go so with the new AFOs it puts them in the right position. And

he said it possibly is too much for my knee to handle....he put a wedge thing

under the right AFO, but it still hurts...I'm going back Monday after next.

Somethings gotta give, and hopefully NOT my knee! : )

Jimmy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/15/2006 9:55:49 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,

doanj@... writes:

And he said it possibly is too much for my knee to handle....he put a wedge

thing under the right AFO, but it still hurts...I'm going back Monday after

next.

Somethings gotta give, and hopefully NOT my knee! : )

Jimmy

HI Jimmy, I get a knee problem occasionally. I get my hips adjusted at the

chiropractor. It puts me right back into place and realigns my knees. I hope

something is an easy fix for you.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/15/2006 4:57:46 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,

jeanet@... writes:

My knees have always hyperextended. I believe this occurs when the

quadriceps are very weak, and mine are almost non existent

Yes Jackie very true! Luckily when my knees are to bad and hurt my

chiropractor helps a ton.

[Guest guest]

Jimmy

My knees have always hyperextended. I believe this occurs when the quadriceps

are very weak, and mine are almost non existent. This time they put hinges in

the bottom back of the AFO. You should NOT be experincing pain with the AFO's.

The key is to have the orthotist make sure the angle is exactly the way you need

it; enough to allow you to still hyperextend, but to only let it hyperextend to

the level that you need to put one foot in front of the next. Hope this helps.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

I need to look up " hyperextended " but I do know it is referring to your walking

gait without assistance as well. One is the way from ankle to knee is forward

and the left is more heel down, leg straight, right one up and bent and down.

When you stand do you stand with both knee straight and almost locked back or

are they bent?

I walked with one knee that was put forward at the knee and one the knee back.

The left leg was back and I use this one and put it down first and when I

transfer it pushes back.

To find out which leg is stronger they asked me if I were to kick a ball which

one would I use. I really had to think about it. If I was standing and holding

on to something and my left leg knee locked in back position straight, I'd use

the right. Then to think about it. I would not stand full weight on by

hyperextended right leg at all.

Donna B

I feel the adjustments need to be in the ankle areas of the AFOs by cutting out

more there allowing more flexibility in the foot maybe 10% more. I could not

use the stiff ones I had to have a little movement.

[Guest guest]

Hi Jimmy

My name's Fiona; I usually lurk in the background and occasionally

post. I've had hyper-extended knees for as long as I can

remember...it seems to be fairly common in folks who have CMT.

Anyway, the hyper extension is a result of the way you put your foot

down when you walk. As yet I don't wear orthotics and the pain I get

in my knee and thigh is arthritic in nature simply because of my

gait. Exercise (simple stretching exercises) has helped considerably.

That doesn't help you though! What your orthotist said sounds right

but surely you shouldn't actively be in pain??

Fingers crossed for your next visit.

Fi

[Guest guest]

Hey Donna, hyperextended refers to the top portion of your leg moving

too far forward when you push off in a step..the knee is designed to

move like a hinge....it can bend backwards but it should only bend so

far forward....when it (knee) bends too far forward it is called hyper

extension... im sure my problem has to do with lack of muscle strength

like you say, and then the ligaments that hold the knee in place loosen

up so that it can bend too far forward...i guess i will just keep

bugging the orthotist until he comes up with something that is just

right....too bad we arent all the same, then it would be easier for

them to come up with something useful.. ; )

Jimmy