Joint hypermobility
If you have joint hypermobility that doesn't cause any problems, treatment is not necessary.
However, you may need treatment and support if you have joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS), which causes a wide range of symptoms, includingjoint pain and digestive problems.
Some of the main treatments for JHS are outlined below.
There are some things you can do yourself that can help if you have JHS. These include:
You may also find it useful to contact a support group. Both the Hypermobility Syndromes Association and Ehlers-Danlos Support UK have a network of local support groups where you can meet other people with JHS and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS).
Physiotherapy may help people with hypermobile joints in a number of ways. For example, it may help to:
It's helpful to havea physiotherapist with knowledgeof JHS, as some physiotherapy treatments can make symptoms worse.
Awide range of physiotherapy techniques can be used. You may be advised to follow an exercise programme that includes strength and balance training, special stretching techniques and advice about pacing.
Pacing involves balancing periods of activity with periods of rest. It means not overdoing it or pushing yourself beyond your limits, because if you do it could slow your long-term progress.
Occupational therapy aims to help you overcome difficulties in your everyday life caused by having JHS.
This may involve teaching youalternative ways of carrying out a certain task. For example, an occupational therapistcan giveyou adviceabout reducing the strain on your joints while using a computer or getting dressed.
Equipment may also be provided to make certain tasks easier. For example, special grips can make holding a pen easier and help improve handwriting.
An occupational therapist can also suggest waystoadapt your home tomake moving around easier. For example, if using stairs is a problem, fitting special grab rails may be recommended.
For some people with JHS, flat feet can be a problem. If someone has flat feet, that person has no arch inthe inner part of their feet, which can put a strain on nearby muscles and ligaments (tissue that connects bones together at a joint).
If you have problems with your feet,a podiatrist (a foot specialist) can recommend treatments such as special insoles to support your feet.
Medication can be used tomanage thepain associated with JHS.
Painkillersavailable over the counter from pharmacies, such as paracetamol ,can sometimes help. Your GP can also prescribe a medicine that contains both paracetamol and codeine, which is a stronger type of painkiller. Liquid paracetamol (such as Calpol) may be helpful for children with JHS.
Alternatively, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen may help in some cases.
Painkillers and NSAIDs are also available as gels or sprays that can be applied directly onto painful joints.
Make sure you check the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine before taking any over-the-counter medication, to make sure it is suitable for you.
Some people with JHS may find pain medication is not effective for them.There have been reports of local anaesthetic used during surgical procedures not having an effect on people with JHS. If you are having a procedure that requires anaesthesia, such as dental treatment, you may want to discuss the issue with your doctor or dentist beforehand.
If painkillers are not effective in reducing your pain, you may benefit from being referred to a pain specialist at a pain clinic. Staff at the clinic will be able to provide further advice and treatment.
For example, some people with JHS benefit from a pain management programme that incorporates a type of psychological therapy called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) when painkillers are not working.
Pain specialists can also provide strongerpainkillers or medication used to specifically treat nerve (neuropathic) pain.
For more informationabout the specific treatments for some of theproblems associated with JHS, see:
Joint hypermobility means that some or all of a person's joints have an unusually large range of movement.
Many people with joint hypermobility have few or no problems related to their increased range of movement.
Four factors may contribute to joint hypermobility - the shape of the ends of your bones, collagen structure, muscle tone and proprioception.
If your doctor thinks that you may have joint hypermobility, the Beighton score is often used as a quick test to assess the range of movement in some of your joints.
If you have joint hypermobility that doesn't cause any problems, treatment is not necessary.