Symptomatic joint hypermobility

Abstract

Joint hypermobility is relatively common and has many influences such as age, gender, training, and ethnicity among many. Joint hypermobility may be asymptomatic or symptomatic. It may also be non-syndromic or syndromic. However, "asymptomatic" joint hypermobility may result in repetitive use injury, alter biomechanics of joints at other body sites, or become symptomatic later in life. Symptomatic joint hypermobility can result from soft-tissue rheumatism (e.g. bursitis, tendonitis, etc.) or muscular tension pain due to muscular imbalance. Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) can be easily assessed using a standardized, quick, in-office examination. Management is relatively straight forward once joint hypermobility is recognized using neuromuscular re-training. It is important to recognize that GJH may also be a feature of a heritable connective tissue disorder with other systemic findings. Therefore, assessing joint hypermobility in those with musculoskeletal complaints may lead to recognizing systemic manifestations and allow the appropriate management.

Keywords: Ehlers–Danlos syndrome; Hypermobility spectrum disorders; Hypermobility syndrome; Joint hypermobility; Joint pain; Orthostasis.