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Hypermobility Classification and external resources
Bent thumb as example of hypermobility
ICD-10	M35.7
ICD-9	728.5
OMIM	147900
DiseasesDB	31101
MeSH	D007593

Hypermobility (also called double-jointedness, hypermobility syndrome or hyperlaxity) describes joints that stretch farther than is normal. For example, some hypermobile people can bend their thumbs backwards to their wrists, bend their knee joints backwards, (human jumprope) move arms from near their buttocks to the front of their stomach by holding hands and going over the head, or put their leg behind the head. It can affect a single joint or multiple joints throughout the body.

Contents 1 Causes 2 Hypermobility syndrome 3 Treatments 3.1 Physical therapy 3.2 Medication 3.3 Lifestyle modification 3.4 Other treatments 4 References 5 External links

Causes

Hypermobility generally results from one or more of the following:

• Misaligned joints
• Abnormally-shaped ends of one or more bones at a joint
• A Type 1 collagen defect (found in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Marfan syndrome) results in weakened ligaments, muscles & tendons. This same defective process also results in weakened bones which may result in osteoporosis and fractures
• Abnormal joint proprioception (an impaired ability to determine where in space parts of the body are, and how stretched a joint is)

The condition tends to run in families, suggesting that there may be a genetic basis for at least some forms of hypermobility. The term double jointed is often used to describe hypermobility, however the name is a misnomer and is not to be taken literally, as an individual with hypermobility in a joint does not actually have two separate joints where others would have just the one.

Some people have hypermobility with no other symptoms or medical conditions. However, people with hypermobility syndrome may experience many difficulties. For example, their joints may be easily injured, be more prone to complete dislocation due to the weakly stabilized joint and they may develop problems from muscle overuse (as muscles must work harder to compensate for the excessive weakness in the ligaments that support the joints).

Hypermobility may also be symptomatic of a serious medical condition, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, osteogenesis imperfecta, lupus, polio, downs syndrome, morquio syndrome, cleidocranial dysostosis or myotonia congenita.

In addition, hypermobility has been associated with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. During pregnancy certain hormones alter the physiology of ligaments making them able to stretch to accommodate the birthing process. For some women with hypermobility pregnacy related pelvic girdle pain can be debilitating.

Symptoms of hypermobility include a dull but intense pain around the knee and ankle joints and also on the soles of the feet. The condition affecting these parts can be alleviated by using insoles in the footwear which have been specially made for the individual after assessment by an orthopaedic surgeon.

Hypermobility syndrome

Hypermobility syndrome (known by a variety of other names, including Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome) is generally considered to comprise hypermobility together with other symptoms, such as myalgia and arthralgia, and extra-articular features such as skin hyperextensibility and varicose veins. It affects more females than males.

The current diagnostic criteria for hypermobility syndrome are the Brighton criteria, which incorporates the Brighton score[1]. Hypermobility syndrome is considered by many doctors expert in hypermobility (e.g. Professor Rodney Grahame) to be equivalent to the Hypermobile Type of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

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People with hypermobility syndrome may develop other conditions caused by their lax connective tissues. These conditions include:^{citation needed}

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Varicose Veins
• Flat feet, pronated feet, plantar fasciitis or sesamoiditis and unsupportive shoes
• Idiopathic scoliosis
• Joint instability causing frequent sprains, tendinitis, or bursitis when doing activities that would not affect the normal individual.
• Early-onset osteoarthritis
• There is evidence linking hypermobility syndrome to anxiety and depression. [2][3]
• Subluxations or dislocations, especially in the shoulder.
• Knee pain
• Back pain, prolapsed discs or spondylolisthesis
• Hernias
• Bruising easily
• Worsening of symptoms in cold weather
• Joints that make clicking noises
• Headaches
• Susceptibility to whiplash
• Temperomandibular Joint Syndrome also known as TMJ
• Increased nerve compression disorders (i.e. carpal tunnel syndrome)
• Mitral valve prolapse
• Uterine prolapse
• FLU [Formal Larinal Usekretinals]
• Separated Pubic Symphysis
• Postural tachycardia syndrome secondary to joint hypermobility syndrome
• May develop issues with the thyroid such as, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Hyperthyroidism, etc.
• May have problems with the eyes because of extra collagen; such as, acute myopia or retinal tears

Treatments

Physical therapy

It is important that the individual with hypermobility remain extremely fit - even more so than the average individual - to prevent recurrent injuries. Regular exercise and physical therapy or hydrotherapy can reduce symptoms of hypermobility, because strong muscles help to stabilise joints. These treatments can also help by stretching tight, overused muscles and ensuring the person uses joints within the ideal ranges of motion, avoiding hyperextension or hyperflexion. Low-impact exercise such as Pilates or Tai Chi is usually recommended for hypermobile people as it is less likely to cause injury than high-impact exercise or contact sports.

Moist hot packs can relieve the pain of aching joints and muscles. For some patients, ice packs also help to relieve pain.

Some patients find Structural Integration (or Rolfing) to be extremely beneficial.

Medication

Medications frequently used to reduce pain and inflammation caused by hypermobility include analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and tricyclic antidepressants. Some people with hypermobility may benefit from other medications such as steroid injections or gabapentin, a drug originally used for treating epilepsy.

Lifestyle modification

For many people with hypermobility, lifestyle changes decrease the severity of symptoms. For example:

• If writing is painful, people may be able to reduce the pain by typing.
• If typing is painful, they may try voice control software for their computer.
• They should watch their posture to make sure they are standing or sitting up straight. Weakened ligaments and muscles contribute to poor posture which may result in numerous other medical conditions.

Other treatments

• Bracing to support weak joints may be helpful when joints are injured or painful, but caution must be used not to weaken the joints further.
• Those who are overweight should lose weight. The extra weight puts additional stress on the already weakened ligaments, making them more susceptible to injury.

References

External links

• Oxford Journals Rheumatology, Living with Hypermobility Syndrome
• MedicineNet.com
• Cleveland Clinic Health System
• Joint hypermobility syndrome Review (pdf)from Journal of Indian Rheumatology Association
• Sports Injury Bulletin
• Kids Physio
• The Disability Handbook on Arthritis
• Association Between Joint Hypermobility Syndrome and Panic
• Video of hypermobile person

v • d • e Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M, 710-739) Arthropathies Arthritis Septic arthritis - Reactive arthritis - Rheumatoid arthritis - Psoriatic arthritis - Felty syndrome - Juvenile idiopathic arthritis - Still's disease - crystal (Gout, Chondrocalcinosis) - Osteoarthritis (Heberden's node, Bouchard's nodes) - Monoarthritis/Polyarthritis - Palindromic rheumatism Specific joints shoulder (Winged scapula, Adhesive capsulitis, Rotator cuff tear, Subacromial bursitis) - elbow (Cubitus valgus, Cubitus varus) - hand (Wrist drop, Boutonniere deformity, Swan neck deformity) hip (Protrusio acetabuli, Coxa valga, Coxa vara) - leg (Unequal leg length) - patella (Luxating patella, Chondromalacia patellae) - foot (Bunion/hallux valgus, Hallux varus, Hallux rigidus, Hammer toe, Foot drop, Flat feet, Club foot) general terms (Valgus deformity, Varus deformity) Synovium and tendon Synovitis/Tenosynovitis (Calcific tendinitis, Stenosing tenosynovitis, Trigger finger, DeQuervain's syndrome) - Irritable hip - Ganglion cyst Bursa Bursitis (Olecranon, Prepatellar, Trochanteric, Subacromial) - Baker's cyst Other Hemarthrosis - Arthralgia - Osteophyte - Hypermobility Dorsopathies spinal curvature (Kyphosis, Lordosis, Scoliosis) - Scheuermann's disease - Spondylolysis - Torticollis - Spondylolisthesis Spondylopathies (Ankylosing spondylitis, Spondylosis, Spinal stenosis) - Schmorl's nodes - Degenerative disc disease - Coccydynia - Back pain (Radiculopathy, Neck pain, Sciatica, Low back pain) see also congenital

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