Recovery Story Details

Patient Chen, female, 62 years old, from Wuhan, Hubei. In 2024, she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage that resulted in right-sided hemiplegia. After 3 months of inpatient rehabilitation, she was discharged. Her main issues include hyperextension of the right knee (knee buckling backward while walking), frequent leg weakness leading to falls, and fear of going out alone.

Evaluation Results

• Right knee hyperextension: -15° (normal is 0° or mild hyperextension of 0-5°)
• Right quadriceps muscle strength: 3 (able to resist gravity but not resistance)
• Right calf triceps muscle tone: 1+ grade
• Right ankle dorsiflexion range of motion: -5°
• Gait Analysis: Knee hyperextension in stance phase; insufficient foot clearance in swing phase.

Treatment Plan

1. Customized Knee-Ankle Orthosis: Limits knee hyperextension and provides knee stability
2. Quadriceps TrainingSeated knee extension training, progressive resistance
3. Balance Training: Single-leg stand (healthy side → affected side)
4. Gait TrainingCorrect hyperextension patterns and establish normal gait

Treatment Progress

• Month 1: Accommodates brace wear; knee hyperextension reduced to -10°
• Months 2-3: Quadriceps strength increased to 3+ grade, knee hyperextension reduced by -5°
• Months 4-6: Muscle strength reached 4, knee hyperextension -3°, gait significantly improved

Treatment Effect

• Hyperextension of the right knee: -15° → -3° (improvement of 12°)
• Right quadriceps muscle strength: 3 → 4
• Fall frequency: 2-3 times/week → 0 times
• Walking Confidence: From hesitant to venture out alone → Confident in shopping for groceries independently