Symptomatic Joint Hypermobility: The Hypermobile Type of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and the Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Joint hypermobility may be syndromic or nonsyndromic, asymptomatic or symptomatic. However, asymptomatic joint hypermobility can cause repetitive use injury, alter biomechanics, or become symptomatic later in life. Symptomatic joint hypermobility can result from soft tissue injury or muscular strain caused by muscular imbalance. Treatment is straightforward once joint hypermobility is recognized. Generalized joint hypermobility can be assessed using a standardized in-office examination. Generalized joint hypermobility may also be a feature of a heritable connective tissue disorder with other systemic findings. Therefore, assessing joint hypermobility in the context of musculoskeletal complaints may lead to recognizing systemic manifestations and allow treatment accordingly.

Keywords: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; Hypermobility spectrum disorder; Hypermobility syndrome; Joint hypermobility; Joint pain; Orthostasis.