Hypermobility is a medical condition which is characterized by extremely flexible joints. People with this condition can bend their joints much further than is normal, often being able to do things like bending their thumbs flat against the back of their hands, for example. You may hear someone who has hypoermobility called “double-jointed,” although in fact people with this condition do not have extra joints.
Often, hypermobility presents on its own, and it may be limited to certain joints in the body. The condition may not require any medical treatment, and as the patient ages, his or her joints may become less flexible over time. However, there are some instances when people with the condition do need medical treatment, as the condition can accompany other more serious medical conditions, and there are some medical complications associated with hypermobility.
Just because someone with this condition can bend his or her joints further than normal doesn’t mean that this is a good idea. It is possible to damage muscles, tendons, and other connective tissue with excessive stretching, and the condition is sometimes linked with joint pain and arthritis later in life. Depending on how widespread the weakness in the connective tissue is, someone with hypermobility may be at risk of prolapse, irritable bowel disease, flat feet, easy bruising, and other unfortunate complications.
There appears to be a genetic component to hypermobility, and around 10% of people are believed to have the condition, to varying degrees. The condition can be caused by a number of factors including weakened muscle tissue, malformed joints, and damage to the bones around the joint. In people with mild hypermobility, the condition simply manifests as extreme elasticity, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
In the event the condition is extreme enough to require medical treatment, most doctors focus on physical therapy which is used to strengthen and tone the joints. Low impact exercise is also used to keep the body fit without putting strain on the joints. By staying fit and toned, patients can keep their connective tissue strong and in good shape; anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed for flareups of pain.