People are often told they are hypermobile.  Hypermobility refers to people who have excessively bendy joint(s) .  It may be in one joint or it may affect multiple joints.   Often in those who have it in one joint there is history of injury previously e.g. severe ligament sprain / rupture or dislocation or they have an unusual shape of the joint in question.  They will have lost integrity of joint stabilisers and these will not repair without surgery to reconstruct or build enough strength to cope without the passive restraints.

Conversely in people who have it in multiple joints there may be problem with the make-up of the connective tissues in the body.  This includes the stabilising structures of the joints such as ligaments, retinacula and fascia which all become looser. They may have a diagnosis of hypermobility syndrome or Ehlers Danlos.  They often have a party trick or two and we assess for hypermobility using a series of tests.

Regardless of whether the hypermobility is in one joint or multiple joints there is no doubt that these patients are at higher risk of injury and pain.  Logic says so, the evidence says so.  They have lost key stabilisers in the body.  That said pain cannot be solely due to the hypermobility. There are plenty of people out their with hypermobility living active pain-free lifestyles.  The key here is strength and proprioception.  Although passive structures may be lost our active restraints can make up for them.  Heck there have been premier league footballers playing without ACLs.   Failing this taping, or bracing can be effective in certain circumstances.  

So don’t let hypermobility rule things out for you get reviewed by us to see what you can achieve.