Have you ever heard someone called double-jointed? That doesn’t mean they have two joints where most people have one. It means they have joint hypermobility, where their joints naturally move in a bigger range of motion than usual.
If you have joint hypermobility, you’re more flexible than average. You might be able to bend your pinky finger back more than 90 degrees, touch your thumb to your wrist or have a backward bend in your elbow or knee when you fully extend your arm or leg.
Joint hypermobility could be helpful in some activities, like dancing or gymnastics. But it can also make joints unstable and lead to injuries. And it could be linked with other health conditions.
Joint hypermobility is common and anyone can have the condition. It’s found more often in children and teenagers, especially girls, and it occurs in joints throughout the body, including the fingers, elbows, knees and hips.
Roger McCoy, MD, a sports medicine specialist with Banner – University Medicine, explained more about the condition.
Symptoms of joint hypermobility
This condition is different for everyone, and many people don’t notice any symptoms other than being more flexible than most. But some people have:
- Dull or achy pain, especially in the knees, fingers and elbows. It can be worse with activity or after standing for a long time.
- Frequent sprains or dislocations, especially in the shoulders, fingers and ankles.
- Fatigue and muscle weakness, since the muscles need to work harder to support the joints.
- Joint stiffness after not being active or first thing in the morning.
What causes joint hypermobility?
Joint hypermobility tends to run in families. Genetic differences may affect the connective tissues that support the joints.
“Some people have joint hypermobility as part of another health condition such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome or other connective tissue disorders,” Dr. McCoy said. These conditions can include other symptoms such as skin that’s very elastic, bruising easily, heart issues and digestive problems.
Changes in hormone levels, especially estrogen, can affect joint hypermobility. Joints may be more flexible for girls and women during puberty and pregnancy.
The condition may also worsen with age since the ligaments that support the joints can weaken over time.
How is joint hypermobility diagnosed?
If you have symptoms of joint hypermobility, you should contact a health care provider. They can see whether you have normal flexibility or something that may need treatment.
“They will likely use a test called the Beighton score to evaluate joint flexibility,” Dr. McCoy said. It measures the ability to:
- Bend each pinky finger backward beyond 90 degrees.
- Bend each thumb to touch the forearm.
- Hyperextend each elbow beyond 10 degrees.
- Hyperextend each knee beyond 10 degrees.
- Place the palms flat on the floor with straight legs.
If your provider is concerned about how stable your joints are or whether they might be damaged, they may recommend imaging studies like MRI or ultrasound.
Managing joint hypermobility
You can take steps to make it easier to live with this condition:
- Avoid overstretching: Maintain a healthy range of motion, but don’t push your joints past their comfort zone.
- Use braces or support during activities that stress your joints: Supportive gear gives you more stability and lowers the risk of sprains or dislocations.
- Adjust your workspace: Use ergonomic chairs and tools to avoid awkward positions that could stress your joints. Take regular breaks to stretch and move around.
- Use assistive devices: Jar openers, grip aids or utensils with bigger handles can reduce stress on joints.
- Wear supportive shoes: Footwear with cushioning and stability can support your feet and ankles. Shoes that don’t have arch support can make joints more unstable.
- Strengthen your muscles: Stronger muscles give you more support and stability and lower the risk of injuries. Yoga or Pilates may be good options.
- Try pain relievers: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), can help manage pain. Be sure to follow the dosage instructions and talk to your provider before starting any medication. With severe pain, your provider may prescribe stronger medication.
- Consider alternative therapies: Talk to your provider about acupuncture, massage therapy or chiropractic care.
- Work with a physical therapist: A physical therapist can design an exercise program for you that strengthens the muscles around your joints and can help you be more aware of how you position your body.
- See your provider regularly: Your provider can see how well your joints are working, check for any changes, watch for complications, help you prevent injuries and adjust your treatment plan.
When it’s important to seek care
Watch for these signs of complications from joint hypermobility:
- Joint pain that’s getting worse, limiting your activities or affecting your quality of life.
- Frequent joint dislocations or instability.
- Unexplained stiffness or reduced range of motion in joints, especially if it comes on suddenly or gets worse over time.
- Symptoms such as swelling, warmth, redness or numbness around joints.
The bottom line
Joint hypermobility is a condition where your joints are more flexible than most. It might not be a problem, but it could make you more prone to strains or dislocations and it could be a sign of a more serious health condition.
If you have any concerns about the mobility or flexibility of your joints, reach out to your primary care provider or an expert at Banner Health.
