About hypermobility syndrome
What is hypermobility syndrome?
Hypermobility syndrome facts
- The joint hypermobility syndrome is a condition that features joints that easily move beyond the normal range expected for a particular joint.
- Hypermobile joints tend to be inherited.
- Symptoms of the joint hypermobility syndrome include pain in the knees, fingers, hips, and elbows.
- Often joint hypermobility causes no symptoms and requires no treatment. Treatments are customized for each individual based on their particular manifestations.
What is the joint hypermobility syndrome?
The joint hypermobility syndrome is a condition that features joints that easily move beyond the normal range expected for a particular joint. The joint hypermobility syndrome is considered a benign condition. It is estimated that 10%-15% of normal children have hypermobile joints or joints that can move beyond the normal range of motion. Hypermobile joints are sometimes referred to as "loose joints," and those affected are referred to as being "double jointed."
What are the symptoms for hypermobility syndrome?
Because the joints are capable of excessive motion in people with the joint Hypermobility syndrome, they are susceptible to injury. Symptoms of the joint Hypermobility syndrome include pain in the knees, fingers, hips, and elbows. There is a higher incidence of joint dislocation and sprains of involved joints. Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) occurs more frequently in people with hypermobile joints and can lead to back pain. Joint Hypermobility tends to decrease with aging as we become naturally less flexible.
Signs of the syndrome are the ability to place the palms of the hands on the floor with the knees fully extended, hyperextension of the knee or elbow beyond 10 degrees, and the ability to touch the thumb to the forearm.
What are the causes for hypermobility syndrome?
Hypermobile joints tend to be inherited in specific genes passed on by parents to their children. It is felt that these certain genes predispose to the development of hypermobile joints. As a result, there is a tendency of the condition to run in families (familial). Genes that are responsible for the production of collagen, an important protein that helps to glue tissues together, are suspected of playing a role.
What are the treatments for hypermobility syndrome?
Often joint hypermobility causes no symptoms and requires no treatment. Many individuals with joint hypermobility syndrome improve in adulthood. Treatments are customized for each individual based on their particular manifestations. Joint pains can be relieved by medications for pain or inflammation. Proper physical fitness exercise can strengthen muscles and stability, but the nature of the exercise should be designed to avoid injury to joints. Sometimes physical therapy can help with rehabilitation of injured areas and can be especially helpful to prevent reinjury.
What are the risk factors for hypermobility syndrome?
Joint hypermobility is also a feature of a rare, inherited, more significant medical condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), which is characterized by weakness of the connective tissues of the body. Joint hypermobility is commonly seen in people with Down syndrome and in people with Marfan syndrome.
Is there a cure/medications for hypermobility syndrome?
Hypermobility syndrome is a group of hereditary connective tissue disorders that causes skin hyperelasticity, hypermobility of joints, atrophic scarring, and fragility of blood vessels.
People with hypermobile joints don’t have other symptoms, so they don’t need treatment for their condition.
However, you should see a doctor if you have pain in the loose joint during or after movement, sudden changes in the appearance of the joint, changes in mobility, specifically in the joints, and changes in the functioning of your arms and legs.
Treatment or management
1. Hypermobility syndrome is asymptomatic as the joints can extend and are flexible. Hypermobility reduces with age due to age-related gradual loss of flexibility of joints.
2. Commonly, patients do not require treatment. However, the symptoms or manifestations due to the injuries may need attention.
3. Robust patient counseling regarding limiting at-risk activities like contact sports or weightlifting is a preventive measure.
4. Physical therapists may guide patterns of exercises and movements of everyday activities, which may help to reduce the risks of injury and may ease pain and sprains.
5. Painkillers and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs may help with pain and inflammation.
6. Affected persons should be encouraged to go for genetic counseling to prevent the inheritance of the disease to their children.
Symptoms
Pain in the knees, fingers, hips, and elbows,There is a higher incidence of joint dislocation and sprains of involved joints,The ability to place the palms of the hands on the floor with the knees fully extended,Hyperextension of the knee or elbow beyond 10 degrees,The ability to touch the thumb to the forearm
Conditions
Defective collagen synthesis,Skin hyperelasticity,Hypermobility of joints,Atrophic scarring,Fragile blood vessels
Drugs
Painkillers and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs