Over the decades, I have seen patients in my physiotherapy practice, struggling with multiple recurring issues affecting their movement and function. There is now a growing awareness for the role of laxity in the joints that can play a role in these pain presentations. Joint Hypermobility, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) are just some of the terms used under the umbrella of Connective Tissue Disorders. These conditions can result in recurring pain problems in the body, resulting in repeating or chronic pain in the moving parts or the body, also known as the musculoskeletal system.
Susceptibility to injury, recurring pain, joint pain and fatigue, clicking joints and a tendency to bruise easily, are just some of the features of joint hypermobility.
The musculoskeletal expressions of Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) are now well documented. People with joint hypermobility usually have some, but not all, of the following features:
- joints which stretch further than your average person
- a party trick which they can do with their joints
- might be considered as double jointed
- had a partial or full dislocation
- may be able to place their hands flat on the floor when bending forward with straight knees
However, being hypermobile does not mean that you have Joint Hypermobility Syndrome. Surprisingly few health professionals, even amongst some medical specialists, are aware of how to diagnose the syndrome. If you suspect that you have joint hypermobility, and you are having repeated pain episodes that are having an impact on your life, here are a few things to know:
- The clinical diagnosis can be made in the physiotherapy clinic
- Its has strong hereditary links
- Physiotherapy plays an important role in getting the right type of exercise to protect your joints.
- JHS is a spectrum and presents differently in people
- Some medical signs and symptoms associated with JHS/EDS are less well known (see below).
Other medical conditions are associated with JHS such as Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), POTS relating to feeling dizzy when changing position, stomach problems (often labelled IBS) which are connected to dysmotility within the gut.
Tambu, Principal Physiotherapist
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