“What does hypermobility mean? I just thought I was double jointed!”

Hypermobility, “double jointed”, ligament laxity….oh my….🫣

Question for you - Have you ever heard someone say they’re double jointed? My guess would be probably!

But…did you know that double jointed is a completely made up and totally incorrect term? 😅

And what’s worse….use of the term double jointed by medical professionals is arguably one of the biggest reasons people with hypermobility and/or ligament laxity end up being brushed off, being misdiagnosed, or having their symptoms minimized, or even worse, end up waiting YEARS for a diagnosis with pain and loss of function because of it.

So, let’s set the record straight, shall we?!

To start…”double jointed” aka having two joints in one area of the body is simply not anatomically possible. When people use that term, what they’re actually referring to is called hypermobility.

What is hypermobility?

In the simplest terms, hypermobility means there is MORE range of motion at a given joint than would typically be expected. Maybe you know someone who can bend their fingers or wrist way back, or can sublux their shoulder, or their knees go into a backward ‘c’ when standing….those are all examples of hypermobility, or having more range of motion in those areas than normal.

Hypermobility at joints is typically categorized further by whether the joint is stable (meaning they are otherwise asymptomatic and not having pain, injuries, etc) OR unstable (meaning things like joint subluxation, dislocation, or other connective tissue injuries are occurring because the joint is not being held in place)

When both hypermobility AND joint instability are present, significant injuries, damage to joints & surrounding structures, pain & loss of function can occur. When this hypermobility and joint instability begin to impact someone’s ability to function optimally, it is then considered a hypermobility disorder (discussed further below!).

Can you have hypermobility in one area, but not others?

Hypermobility is absolutely a spectrum, and not at all an all or nothing thing!

Some people may have just a bit more range of motion than ‘normal’, some may be on the more flexible side in some areas of their body (and that can actually be a benefit, especially in some sports like gymnastics or ballet!), some people may fall somewhere in the middle, and some people have significant hypermobility that can lead to injuries, damage to joints, pain and loss of function.

Hypermobility Explained….

Within our bodies, we have what’s referred to as the musculoskeletal system. This includes many structures like muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, connective tissue, etc. that work together to provide stability, strength, and ultimately allow us to function and move upright against gravity during things like crawling, walking, running & beyond. Working closely with the structures in our musculoskeletal system is a protein called collagen, which adds both strength and flexibility to structures within the musculoskeletal system, acting almost like a glue to aid in holding it all together. When hypermobility is present, the collagen within the body is impacted and those support structures designed to protect & stabilize our joints become lax or weakened, which can result in instability at those joints and ultimately an increased risk of injury.

What causes hypermobility?

The primary contributing factor to developing hypermobility is genetics, meaning it is most often passed down from a parent to their child(ren). However, many other things can influence the amount of hypermobility present, some of which can include muscle tone, the way our joints develop, and sex (more common in women than men).

Again, many people who have hypermobility will NOT have pain or injuries and may even benefit from it! But unfortunately, that is not the case for everyone.

What about when hypermobility IS causing pain, injuries, or loss of function?

Hypermobility Syndromes is an overarching term which encompasses many different conditions and diagnoses.

Underneath that umbrella term of ‘hypermobility syndromes’, there are TWO main syndromes often referred to, Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) and Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). Both HSD and hEDS then include many other subsets underneath them which may share similar characteristics and areas of the body impacted.

What are the signs & symptoms of hypermobility?

Again, remember that hypermobility is a spectrum. Not everyone will experience all or any of these symptoms related to hypermobility depending on the severity and where it is present. However, if you or your child are experiencing any of these signs & symptoms, it is absolutely worth bringing to your medical team's attention so they can dig a little further AND so that preventative & supportive measures can be taken to protect the at risk joints from injury and help reduce pain & loss of function!

Possible Signs & Symptoms of Hypermobility

Pain in joints & muscles, especially after activity & use
Joint subluxations, dislocations
Soft tissue injuries including sprains or strains
Poor coordination & motor planning
Fatigue
Difficulty with body awareness (understanding where your body is in space related to objects around you)
Gastrointestinal & bladder difficulties
Skin related abnormalities: scarring, skin that is ‘stretchy’, frequent bruising
Dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath

If hypermobility is suspected, a test that aims to quantify the amount of hypermobility and ligament laxity present is often used, called the Beighton Score. This is a 9 point scale which assesses a series of movements at joints including both pinkies, both thumbs, both elbows, both knees, and the lower spine. One point is given for each joint that is hypermobile, with 0-3 points being within ‘norms’, and a Positive Beighton score being: >/= 5/9 for adults, 6/9 for pre-pubescent children, or 4/9 for adults over 50 years of age.

What can I do if myself or a loved one has hypermobility?

While there is no cure for hypermobility, there is SO much that can be done to help reduce injuries, pain, loss of function & other difficulties that can be a result of the excessive range of motion! Physical therapy and occupational therapy can be excellent starting points - and can allow us to intervene and protect those joints that are being stressed/are on the verge of injury by strengthening the muscles around at risk joints, which lets our muscles take over and provide stability to make up for other parts of the musculoskeletal system that are kind of ‘slacking’ at their jobs, for lack of a better explanation. ESPECIALLY in the cases where hypermobility is creating joint instability, or is causing pain, injuries, joint dislocations, milestone delays, etc. and ESPECIALLY in children, because we CAN help support and stabilize those at risk joints with intentional strengthening and exercise programs focused on use of body weight and stability, like swimming & biking- which can impact them in an immensely positive way in the long term!

Ultimately, my hope here is to spread awareness about hypermobility and stop the misinformation about ‘double jointed’ so that those impacted by hypermobility can receive the care they deserve!

If you suspect you or a loved one may have it, PLEASE speak with your team to investigate further & determine the most appropriate plan for you.

Looking For Milestone Support?

If you’re ready to master your little one’s milestones with confidence and FUN, all from the comfort of your home, you’re in the right place! Just click the link below to join my FREE virtual training - all about Mastering Milestones With Confidence. I can’t wait to see you there ❤

Register For My Free Training Today