Hypermobility

Hypermobility is common feature of normal development in healthy children i.e., the term reflects an increased range of movement compared to controls. Hypermobility is more evident in young children, females and certain ethnic populations (e.g., Indian children are more flexible than white caucasian children).  Hypermobility is more prevalent in competitive dancers, gymnasts, athletes and swimmers and likely gives distinct advantage.

However, hypermobility can be associated with pain although this is controversial. It is important not to ascribe pain to hypermobility without considering other causes. The pattern of joints involved must be symmetrical but can involve just peripheral joints or be widespread. 

Hypermobility is also a feature of the inherited collagen disorders; these are rare but important, as individuals are at risk of retinal and cardiac complications and scoliosis.  Such syndromes can be suspected by looking at the body habitus (look for tall stature, long fingers, wide arm span and high arched palate which suggest Marfan's syndrome), skin elasticity (easy bruising and paper thin scars which suggest Ehler's Danlos syndromes) and blue sclerae suggest osteogenesis imperfecta.

Children and young people may complain of finger pain after handwriting or certain sporting activities or may describe 'clicky' joints. Recurrent dislocations may be reported. Pain may be predictable, occurring during or after specific activities and can be associated with stiffness on waking the day following these activities. The child may stop doing the trigger sports, but then suffer increased pain when restarting.  Anterior knee pain may occur in children who are hypermobile and often associates with flat feet. In some cases, hernias may be observed. There may be a history of other family members being diagnosed with hypermobility. 

Hypermobility is confirmed on examination (e.g., pGALS). Children and young people may be hypermobile only in specific areas, but these should be symmetrical and may or may not be associated with pain.

Often simple reassurance will suffice, with advice to maintain sporting activities and ensure good muscle strength and core stability are optimised. Occasionally, advice from a paediatric physiotherapist can be useful, particularly in children struggling to return to normal activities.