Check-up: Hyper-mobile joints

My six-year-old is able to move the joints in his fingers and elbows and other joints way beyond their normal position. Is he double-jointed?

The ability to move certain joints beyond the normal range of movement with little effort is often referred to as being double-jointed. But the lay term gives the erroneous impression that the person has two joints instead of one. However, medical terms such as hypermobile, hyperextendible or hyperflexible joints more accurately describe the nature of the condition.

While most children tend to be more flexible than adults, those with hypermobile joints may be able to flex and extend their joints beyond what is considered the normal range. Usually these hypermovements are performed without force or discomfort.

The most commonly affected joints include the elbows, wrists, fingers and knees. Hypermobility syndrome is estimated to occur in between 10 and 15 per cent of otherwise normal, healthy children. It is also believed that there is a genetic predisposition to the development of hypermobile joints.

However, hypermobile syndrome, when experienced along with other specific symptoms, can be associated with some rare syndromes including Down syndrome, Marfan and Morquio syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Some people with hypermobile joints may experience pain in the joints and supporting muscles and ligaments.

Our GP checked him out, and says he is perfectly normal, but is there anything we can do to stop him doing these actions? I’m afraid he might injure or damage his joints.

While in most cases there is no specific treatment for hypermobile joints, some individuals with the condition could be at increased risk of joint dislocation and other joint problems.

Extra care may be needed to protect the joints, and you should ask your doctor to refer your son to an occupational therapist or chartered physiotherapist, who will be able to provide specific recommendations in this regard.

However, if you notice that your son’s joints appear misshapen, if he experiences pain on moving the joints, has restricted movement in a limb or is unable to move a limb normally, you should seek immediate medial assistance. A physical check-up will include a detailed examination of the muscles and joints, as well as looking for the signs of rare syndromes.