There are two types of genu recurvatum: one with bone deformity, which
responds well to osteotomy, and one with posterior soft-tissue laxity with
secondary bone changes. To date, no reliable treatment short of arthrodesis
has been effective for the second type. An operation for this type of genu
recurvatum (post-poliomyelitic) is described: a soft-tissue reconstruction
of the lax tissues posterior to the knee joint done in three layers. The
operation was done on sixteen knees in fourteen patients, with an average
follow-up of four years and three months. The average recurvatum before
surgery was 42 degrees and at the time of follow-up it was 6 degrees.
Preliminary surgery is often required and precise surgical technique and
prolonged bracing after surgery also are needed. All but one patient was
made brace-free provided the limb operated on was not flail.