Overview
Congenital knee dislocation, also known as congenital dislocation of the knee or congenital genu recurvatum, is a rare condition present at birth in which the knee joint is displaced or bent backward (hyperextended). In a normal knee, the shinbone (tibia) sits properly beneath the thighbone (femur). In this condition, the tibia is shifted forward and the knee may be locked in a hyperextended or even fully dislocated position. This can range from mild hyperextension to complete dislocation where the bones are entirely out of alignment. Babies born with this condition typically have one or both knees that appear bent the wrong way. The knee may feel stiff and resist being bent into a normal position. Congenital knee dislocation can occur on its own (isolated) or alongside other conditions such as hip dysplasia, clubfoot, or genetic syndromes like Larsen syndrome or arthrogryposis. About 40-80% of affected babies also have developmental dysplasia of the hip. Treatment usually begins shortly after birth. In many mild to moderate cases, gentle serial casting or bracing can gradually bring the knee into a normal position. Physical therapy plays an important role in maintaining range of motion. In more severe cases or when conservative treatment does not work, surgery may be needed to release tight structures around the knee and reposition the joint. With early and appropriate treatment, many children achieve good knee function and can walk normally. Delayed treatment can lead to long-term stiffness and difficulty walking.
Key symptoms:
Knee bent backward at birth (hyperextension)Inability to bend the knee normallyStiff knee jointVisible deformity of the knee at birthSkin creases or folds on the front of the kneeShortened quadriceps muscleLimited range of motion in the kneeDifficulty with crawling or walking milestonesHip dislocation in the same or opposite legClubfoot or other foot deformitiesMuscle tightness around the knee
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Congenital knee dislocation.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Congenital knee dislocation at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Congenital knee dislocation.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Congenital knee dislocation.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Congenital knee dislocation.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Congenital knee dislocation
No recent news articles for Congenital knee dislocation.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How severe is my baby's knee dislocation, and what grade or classification is it?,Will serial casting be enough, or is surgery likely to be needed?,Has my baby been checked for hip dysplasia or other associated conditions?,Should we see a geneticist to rule out an underlying syndrome?,What physical therapy will my baby need, and how often?,What is the expected long-term outcome for my child's knee function?,Are there any signs I should watch for at home that would require urgent medical attention?
Common questions about Congenital knee dislocation
What is Congenital knee dislocation?
Congenital knee dislocation, also known as congenital dislocation of the knee or congenital genu recurvatum, is a rare condition present at birth in which the knee joint is displaced or bent backward (hyperextended). In a normal knee, the shinbone (tibia) sits properly beneath the thighbone (femur). In this condition, the tibia is shifted forward and the knee may be locked in a hyperextended or even fully dislocated position. This can range from mild hyperextension to complete dislocation where the bones are entirely out of alignment. Babies born with this condition typically have one or both
At what age does Congenital knee dislocation typically begin?
Typical onset of Congenital knee dislocation is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.