What is hypermobility?  

Hypermobility means that a person has greater than average flexibility. In a hypermobile person the collagen (the main structural protein of our body) is organised in a way that results in more extensibility and this can result in increased mobility at the joints, skin and tissues.

Is this a problem?

In many children it is natural to be a little bit bendy and if this is not causing any pain, instability or or other associated medical symptoms there is nothing you need to do or worry about! Remember that many of our best athletes- particularly swimmers and gymnasts can be hypermobile and it can be very helpful to them in their sport!  This is called asymptomatic joint hypermobility.

How may hypermobility affect your child?

Tired?

Some hypermobile children may have a little bit more difficulty maintaining an upright working position at school throughout the day and many families of hypermobile children report that they seem more fatigued than other kids and may just want to lie down after school. It is important to find a healthy balance between resting and staying involved in sport and exercise to keep our bodies strong! Your physiotherapist can help with advising you and the right balance for your child and the most appropriate sports for your child. For many hypermobile children swimming may be an excellent choice for improving their strength and stamina and helping to avoid injuries. Staying strong is usually a very good idea!  

Difficulty sitting up in the class or at the table?

It is understandable that if your joints have a bit more flexibility then in order to sit upright for sustained periods we often need to work a bit harder in our muscular system and this can be tiring!-  the use of wobble cushions, wedge seats or slope boards along with frequent rest periods and changes of posture may be helpful in assisting your child's comfort at school. Your Physiotherapist can advise on home exercises that may help to improve your child postural endurance.

Difficulty with handwriting, messy handwriting or pressure bumps from handwriting on the index finger?

Fine motor skills such as handwriting, drawing, typing using cutlery or doing up buttons and shoelaces may be more challenging for the hypermobile child due to increased flexibility at the finger joints, reduced intrinsic strength at the smaller hand muscles or  weakness of postural and shoulder muscles. This can affect the legibility, endurance and speed of writing and make it more difficult for children to keep up with peers in the classroom setting. Occasionally finger splints, pen supports or other adaptive equipment may be suggested by your OT or Physiotherapist to assist with your child's school participation.

Translucency of skin, easier bruising?

This can be a common feature of hypermobility, softer stretchy skin with increased stretch and easier bruising.

Rolling or spraining ankles?

Your Physiotherapist can assess your child's ankle balance (proprioception) and offer advice on strengthening exercises to assist with ankle balance, strength and footwear advice to help prevent and reduce the incidence of recurrent sprained ankles. Your Physio may also suggest in some instances to seek the opinion of a Podiatrist regarding orthotic insoles in supporting your child's arches. 

Hypermobility Spectrum disorder, Elhers Dahnlos Syndrome or Marfans Syndrome?

Joints that are more flexible do not necessarily cause problems.  However if your child has instability at their joints causing dislocations or pain along with other symptoms affecting their health including excessive fatigue, autonomal dysfunction, headaches, gastrointestinal problems and or anxiety disorders your GP may need to look further into referring you to a Rheumatologist or for testing for other hereditary conditions affecting your connective tissue. More information on these can be found at https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/about-us/ 

Need help?

Our Physiotherapists can assess and treat your child if you are concerned they are hypermobile. Our physios can help with targeted strengthening exercise to assist with building up postural strength...while making it fun!

Contact [email protected] if you would like to book in to see one of our physios for an assessment at the Walky Talky Hub in Myaree, Perth.