Hypermobility simply refers to excessive joint movement. This might be local, as when you injure the ligaments of a joint and it remains more mobile after healing. Otherwise it can be widespread. Some people are generally more bendy than others, and sometimes generalised hypermobility is caused by conditions like Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.

Diagnosing Hypermobility

Your osteopath knows what a “normal” range of movement should look like for someone of your demographic. Women and children generally have more mobility than men and older people. Identifying general or local hypermobility can be done with just clinical judgement, but we will refer off where necessary. This might be the case if it looks like there might be an underlying cause, such as an undiagnosed connective tissue disorder.

It’s important to note that not all bendy joints are problematic, but if you’re in doubt, you’re welcome to book an appointment with us to be sure. We can look at the body as a whole to see if a mobile joint is reacting to stiffness elsewhere and if the area would benefit from any pre-emptive intervention.

The Beighton Scale

A quick and easy way to test for general hypermobility is using the Beighton Scale. The illustration above shows the 9 points tested:

• The base of the fingers (1 and 2)

• The base of the thumbs (3 and 4)

• The elbows (5 and 6)

• The lower back (7)

• Both knees (8)

Your osteopath will ask you to extend each joint, either using a hand or simply straightening it under its own steam for the elbows and knees. The lower back is tested by asking you to keep your knees straight and touch your toes while standing.

Although the scale gives a good rough idea, it does not account for the neck, shoulders, hips, or ankles.

Managing Hypermobile Joints

Rehab after injury, such as shoulder dislocation or ankle sprain, is a first line management strategy. Sometimes patients mention a historic injury like this that is still causing problems, but the good news is that an area can still respond well to rehab a long time down the line. Of course the best responses occur when rehabilitation is begun earlier in the healing process, so if you are in this stage, click the link below to get the ball rolling sooner.

Whether your mobility is widespread or localised, one of the key parts of your treatment plan will be strengthening. This is because when ligaments are not providing sufficient support, well-trained muscles are usually able to take on the task. In contrast, if a joint is allowed too much movements and the muscles cannot cope, there may be a combination of joint and muscle pain. Depending on your current situation, we might start with a prescription of resistance band exercises, or those using bodyweight or weights. As your muscles get better at supporting the joint, we can adjust exercises accordingly. This might mean increasing intensity or frequency of the exercises until you reach a comfortable level. Finding a routine for your exercises is important to help you stick to them- this is one of your best long term management strategies for your hypermobility.

Make an appointment here to start managing your hypermobility