Hypermobility Syndrome

What is Hypermobility Syndrome?

"Hypermobility Syndrome is a connective tissue disorder. Symptoms often start in childhood and continue into adult life, they include; joints that are less stable and may dislocate, an increased tendency to sprains and strains, fatigue, long term pain and stretchy skin. They may experience difficult with gripping, writing, unlocking doors etc. and staying in one position for too long may increase their pain. Their mobility may be impaired."

"Connective tissue proteins such as collagen give the body its intrinsic toughness. When they are differently formed, the results are mainly felt in the "moving parts" - the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments - which are laxer and more fragile than is the case for most people. The result is joint laxity with hypermobility and with it comes vulnerability to the effects of injury."

From the Hypermobility Syndrome Association Website (see for more information and medical help).

I was first diagnosed with Hypermobility Syndrome (HMS) when I was 13/14 after injuring my ankle again. Throughout my childhood I had several incidents involving my ankles. I once tore all the ligaments in my ankle when I stepped off a school bus and my ankle twisted completely around. I have also managed to damage the muscles in my neck ('cricked' my neck) by just twisting over in my sleep. After several sessions of physio my ankles have been permanently strengthed.

In 2007 I went to the doctor about pain in my lower legs. I was sent to the physio who couldn't work out what was wrong until I stood up. As soon as I stood up he realised what was wrong; my legs were hyper-extended. They were bending back and were only being supported by the bone. The muscles around my knees were useless, they were not supporting my knees which was why the muscles in my lower legs were hurting; they were supporting my knees. My pelvis was also tilted forward instead of back. So the physio began me on some exercises to strengthen my knees and core section. I was discharged with the exercises to continue.

The sessions with this (crap) physio showed me just how serious this condition can be. Until then I had not realised how much it affected me and how many aches and pains were due to my Hypermobility. My joints ache all the time, I have to click my joints more than usual due to more gas building up between my joints and I get a lot of discomfort. Not to mention the risk from injury at any point. My body treats any over-working (too much walking is even too much for my body) as a sports injury. I've had a stress fracture in my foot as well as many torn and damaged ligaments.

Hypermobility Syndrome can be genetic, and in my case it most likely is. Other members of my dad's family, especially my dad, have had similar problems with joints. My dad has had many problems with his knees, and has had surgery on them. He also has similar feelings in his own joints. Since it is highly genetic it is likely that I will pass it on to any children I have, which is not happy thought.

Latest Update: August 2007

I am now on pain medication (co-codamol) to cope with the pain. In December 2006 the pain got severely worse, and I started having problems sleeping. The pain medication is not the ideal solution, and I have just started another series of physio sessions to strengthen my knees. My hands, wrists, and hips are other problem areas, and support bandages help to ease some of the discomfort in my hands/wrists.