A hyperextended knee may sound like a complicated term, but it’s a pretty common injury that a lot of people experience, especially athletes and those with active lifestyles. A hyperextended knee happens when the knee bends too far back, pushing the joint beyond its normal range. When this happens, the ligaments, tendons and muscles around the knee stretch and sometimes even tear. This kind of injury can be painful, and recovery can widely vary from person to person. While some people bounce back in a few weeks, others may be looking at several months of recovery. 

Symptoms of a hyperextended knee

Hyperextension is common in sports and activities that require quick direction changes, like soccer or basketball, but it can happen in everyday situations too. You may land awkwardly, take a hard fall or stop suddenly, causing the knee to bend backward unexpectedly. A hyperextended knee causes symptoms such as:

• Pain, usually felt behind or around the knee
• Swelling
• Bruising
• A wobbly or “loose” feeling in the knee
• Limited range of motion
• Difficulty putting weight on the injured leg

In many cases, a hyperextended knee may just involve minor damage, like a strain, which is less serious and heals faster. However, a more severe hyperextension could lead to ligament tears, and that’s when things become more complicated. Ligament tears in the knee often need longer recovery times and sometimes even require surgery. 

Different types of ligament tears include:

• Medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear — This ligament runs along the inner side of the knee and can be torn during hyperextension.
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear — The ACL is one of the main ligaments that keeps your knee stable, and it’s a common injury in severe hyperextensions. 
• Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear — Though less common, the PCL can also be damaged during a hyperextension. 

Understanding whether a hyperextended knee has ligament damage is essential because your recovery plan will look different for each case. A simple strain may heal in a few weeks, while a ligament tear can require surgery and several months of physical therapy for recovery. 

6 factors that can affect your recovery and recovery timeline

The recovery time for a hyperextended knee depends on many factors, making each case unique. However, here are six factors that can influence recovery:

• Injury severity — The extent of your injury makes a huge difference. Mild hyperextension cases, like a simple sprain, can heal in a few weeks. Severe cases, especially those with ligament damage, can take several months. 
• Age and health — If you’re younger or in good overall health, your body is more likely to bounce back quickly. Older adults or those with certain health issues may take longer to heal. 
• Type of treatment — A mild injury may only need rest and rice, while a more severe injury with ligament damage could require surgery. Generally, surgery involves a longer recovery time. 
• Timing and consistency in rehabilitation — Starting treatment as soon as possible and sticking to your treatment plan are key for a faster recovery. Physical therapy, especially if started early, can make a big difference in how quickly you regain strength and flexibility.
• Swelling and inflammation management — Swelling can slow your recovery, so managing it with ice and anti-inflammatory methods can help boost your healing.
• Individual healing rate — Each person’s healing rate varies, and some people may recover faster than others.

Treatment options for a hyperextended knee

A hyperextended knee can often be treated with a variety of conservative methods, including:

• RICE method — One effective treatment method for a hyperextended knee involves:
• Rest — Avoid activities that put stress on your injured knee. 
• Ice — Apply ice packs to the injured knee to help reduce swelling and numb pain. 
• Compression — Wrap the affected knee with an elastic bandage to help reduce swelling.
• Elevation — Elevate the injured leg to help reduce swelling. 
• Physical therapy — Physical therapy can help you regain mobility, strength and stability. Your physical therapist will tailor exercises and treatments to your specific injury. 
• Pain management — Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce pain and swelling. 
• Knee brace — Wearing a knee brace can provide you with stability and limit further injury by keeping your knee from moving too much. Braces can range from light support to more restrictive options for severe cases. 
• Surgery — In cases of severe ligament damage, surgery may be required to repair or reconstruct the ligament. This is typically followed by a longer rehabilitation period, sometimes up to a year. 

Physical therapy techniques for hyperextended knee recovery

Physical therapy can help speed up your recovery and reduce your chances of reinjury. Your physical therapist will create a personalized treatment plan using a wide range of effective techniques designed to help address your injury, including:

• Aquatic therapy — Aquatic therapy involves doing exercises in water. Because water provides natural resistance without putting too much strain on your knee, it’s an excellent way to start building strength and flexibility in a low-impact environment. Your physical therapist will guide you through specific exercises like walking, leg lifts or gentle knee bends while you’re in the pool. They may adjust the exercises based on your pain level and mobility.
• Manual therapy — Manual therapy encompasses hands-on techniques performed by your physical therapist to help relieve pain, increase joint range of motion and improve soft tissue flexibility around the knee. These techniques include:
• Soft tissue manipulation — Soft tissue manipulation targets the muscles, tendons and ligaments that support your knee. The goal is to help reduce stiffness and promote better blood flow, which helps with pain management and healing. Your physical therapist will use their hands, fingers or specialized tools, applying gentle pressure and manipulating the soft tissue surrounding the knee. They may apply a kneading motion to break up scar tissue or use a gentle sweeping motion along the muscles to boost circulation and reduce pain. By working directly on the soft tissue, they’ll also be able to address any muscle imbalances that could affect recovery. 
• Joint mobilization — Joint mobilization is a technique that involves passive movement of the knee joint to improve flexibility and reduce stiffness. Your physical therapist will position your knee and apply gentle, rhythmic movements to your knee. They’ll move it forward and backward or apply light pressure to mimic the natural movement of the joint. These subtle movements help loosen the joint capsule and surrounding ligaments. Joint mobilization is done slowly, with adjustments to the range and pressure based on your comfort level.
• Therapeutic exercises — Therapeutic exercises are carefully designed stretches and strengthening movements that specifically target your injured knee and the muscles that support it. These exercises are essential for building back strength and stability in your knee. Your physical therapist will show you how to do each exercise correctly, paying close attention to your form. They may start with gentle range-of-motion exercises and introduce more challenging exercises as your knee strengthens. They’ll monitor your progress, adjusting exercises as needed and ensuring that you’re not overloading your knee, which could delay your recovery. 
• Therapeutic ultrasound — Therapeutic ultrasound is a modality that uses high-frequency sound waves to penetrate tissue and help reduce inflammation, pain and muscle spasms in the knee. Your physical therapist will use a small handheld ultrasound device that emits sound waves to create a gentle heat effect within the tissue, helping to relax muscles and reduce pain. They’ll move the device in circular motions over the affected area, adjusting the frequency based on the depth and type of tissue being targeted. The heating effect promotes blood flow and reduces pain, which can help prepare your knee for additional exercises. 
• Electrical stimulation — Electrical stimulation is a technique where small electrodes are placed on the skin near the knee, delivering mild electrical currents to stimulate muscle activity. The intensity level can be adjusted based on your comfort level and therapeutic goals. The electrical pulses cause the muscles to contract and relax rhythmically. This technique can help strengthen muscles, improve circulation, reduce swelling and manage pain. Electrical stimulation can be used in conjunction with other physical therapy techniques to maximize the benefits of each session. 

Each of these techniques is designed to help your knee regain full function after a hyperextension injury. By guiding you through these targeted exercises and treatments, your physical therapist can support your recovery, helping you get back on your feet and back to the activities you love. 

Recovering from a hyperextended knee is a journey, and Lattimore PT can be your guide

At Lattimore Physical Therapy, our dedicated and expert team understands the complexities of hyperextended knee recovery, and we’re committed to helping you achieve your health goals. By creating a personalized treatment plan, we work with you to shorten recovery timelines and restore function. Whether you’re aiming to get back to sports or daily activities or simply move more easily, we’re here to support you at every step. Trust Lattimore PT to guide you through an effective, compassionate recovery — one that prioritizes your comfort and long-term well-being. 

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.