Hypermobility?

KyleGrace8

-Not sure if this was the correct category-

I hadn't even heard of it until a year or two ago and discovered I score a 5/9. My left thumb bends back flush with my arm. My knees bend slightly farther back than they should. All my digits bend past 90 degrees at the top knuckle. My feet can turn into a C shape, I can escape from handcuffs bla bla bla. Apparently it could be connected to lots of other symptoms like, anxiety, bowel problems, walking into stuff "clumsy", easily bruising, stretch marks, popping joints, bad circulation. Things I never would have associated with being bendy. I've never dislocated anything but since it's genetic my sister, (also bendy) played sports and stayed injured all the time! When I lift weights my fingers lock up which I think could be linked to that as well. When I run/jog/hike my hips and ankles will be sore. It's not something that's really getting in the way or anything to worry a doctor over but I was just wondering if other's have it and things to look into. Just reading a few articles myself has been a real eye opener for me as I've said, I didn't really even know about it until recently. I guess this is why I easily injure my wrists and ankles.

Alisonswim46

Do you regularly run/hike? Because if you only run on occasion, whether you are hypermobile or not, you're going to be sore.

I would also say that you should start strength training and it will help you to gain strength in order to prevent injury.

canadianlbs

have you been checked for ehlers danlos? i'm not sure if it's a 1:1 correlation with bendiness - probably not, but you mention these other factors, and i've had a few friends who had it.

if you do have it, i think it's one of the ones where it's better to know it than not.

MeanderingMammal

Joenali wrote: »

I would also say that you should start strength training and it will help you to gain strength in order to prevent injury.

For someone with hypermobility and potential for Ehlers Danlos while strength training of some form may be beneficial, there are considerable risks. Subluxation under additional load has the potential to be very damaging.

Essentially the message is, strength training under the supervision of an informed physiotherapist.

I would add that it can be a progressive condition, so whilst not significant enough for the doctor now, it's useful to get strategies in place for when it does get to that stage.

CurlyCockney

When I was younger I had hypermobility, and it was recommended that I take up swimming to strengthen the muscles around the joints (I'm rubbish at biology so don't know if this is correct, but it's what I was told). My shoulders and thumbs still pop out occasionally, but I know how to put them back.

glassofroses

I have all the same problems but I've never been tested. My biggest concern is my hips, I recently had a subluxation but managed to pop it back in myself, then followed by my ankles. Due to the joint muscles being so lax, I bent my foot in a horrible direction and ripped all the tendons in my right ankle and it's created a weakness. On top of the lack of resistance that was already there, which means I just fall down. A lot. I wear hand and ankle wraps now while exercising - literally can't live without them - for added protection, but like others have said, exercising the lax muscles will strengthen them to prevent injury. Don't push yourself too hard with your workouts but don't be afraid of exercise. It gets easier as the muscles tighten up. Even if it's not causing you problems now, I'd talk to your doctor so that they're aware if anything should arise. Plus a physio is always a great help in discussing how best to strengthen joint muscles based on your particular weaknesses. Prevention is better than rehab, true story.

KyleGrace8

Nice information everyone, I didn't know it could be progressive! I thought if it was going to be bad I would have been born that way and I've been pretty healthy so far. Just something to keep and eye on I suppose.