Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder

Question 1

What is hyper mobility?

Answer 1

A pain syndrome in people with joints that move beyond normal limits
‘Double jointed’

Question 2

Typical demographic of hyper mobility spectrum disorder

Answer 2

Women
Asian people
Presents in childhood or young adulthood
Family history

Question 3

Signs + symptoms of hypermobility spectrum disorder

Answer 3

• Pain around joints
• worse after activity
• fatigue
• abnormal skin
• arachnodactyly
• drooping eyelids
• hernias + uterine/rectal prolapses
• marfanoid habitus (external feature of Marfan’s)

Question 4

What is used to assess hypermobility + support diagnosis?

Answer 4

Beighton score (max 9)
One point for each side of body if patient can:
- place palms flat on floor with their legs straight (one point)
- hyperextend their elbows
- hyperextend their kneees
- hyperextend their little finger past 90°
- bend their thumb to touch their forearm

Question 5

Management of hypermobility spectrum disorder

Answer 5

Aim to improve pain + reduce disability
- strengthening exercises to reduce joint subluxation
- work on posture + balance
- splinting + surgery if needed
- advice on pacing + goal setting
- paracetamol