Joint hypermobility; Loose joints; Hypermobility syndromeHypermobile joints are joints that move beyond the normal range with little effort. Joints most commonly affected are the elbows, wrists, fingers, and knees.
Children's joints are often more flexible than adults' joints. But children with hypermobile joints can flex and extend their joints beyond what is considered normal. The movement is done without too much force and without discomfort.
Thick bands of tissue called ligaments help hold joints together and keep them from moving too much or too far. In children with hypermobility syndrome, those ligaments are loose or weak. This may lead to:
- Arthritis, which may develop over time
- Dislocated joints, which is a separation of two bones where they meet at a joint
- Sprains and strains
Children with hypermobile joints also often have flat feet.
Causes
Hypermobile joints often occur in otherwise healthy and normal children. This is called benign hypermobility syndrome.
Rare medical conditions associated with hypermobile joints include:
Home Care
There is no specific care for this condition. People with hypermobile joints have an increased risk for joint dislocation and other problems.
Extra care may be needed to protect the joints. Ask your health care provider for recommendations.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider if:
- A joint suddenly appears misshapen
- An arm or leg suddenly does not move properly
- Pain occurs when moving a joint
- The ability to move a joint suddenly changes or decreases
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Hypermobile joints often occur with other symptoms that, taken together, define a specific syndrome or condition. A diagnosis is based on a family history, medical history, and a complete physical exam. The exam includes a close look at your muscles and bones.
The provider will ask about the symptoms, including:
- When did you first notice the problem?
- Is it getting worse or more noticeable?
- Are there other symptoms, such as swelling or redness around the joint?
- Is there any history of joint dislocation, difficulty walking, or difficulty using the arms?
Further tests may be done.
References
Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW. Musculoskeletal system. In: Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW, eds. Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination. 9th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2019:chap 22.
Clinch J, Rogers V. Hypermobility syndrome. In: Hochberg MC, Gravallese EM, Silman AJ, Smolen JS, Weinblatt ME, Weisman MH, eds. Rheumatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 216.
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