Focus on Joint Hypermobility

Joint hypermobility in children: what is it and how does it affect posture, coordination and fitness?

The term generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) is used when a person has several joints that are more flexible than usual. This happens when the connective tissue which makes up the joint structures (capsule and ligaments) is more compliant (more easily stretched) than usual.

Many children with hypermobile joints have movement difficulties. Why is this and what can be done to overcome these difficulties?

Infants with joint hypermobility have joints that are able to bend further than usual and a trunk and limbs that appear to be floppy and weak.

The increased range of movement at the joints (sometimes called joint laxity or being double jointed) is due to differences in the connective tissue that forms the joint capsule and ligaments.

/handwriting/brain-controls-handwriting-movements An overview of the of the common problems with drawing and handwriting experienced by children with joint hypermobility (low muscle tone) and developmental coordination disorder (DCD and dyspraxia).

Joint hypermobility and EDS/HT Overview

Generalized joint hypermobility is now increasingly recognized as an underlying or contributing factor in movement difficulties experienced by children, both because of the impact of increased compliance in the connective tissue structures of the body but also because it is closely associated with a cautious temperament (behavioral inhibition) and related anxiety.

Does my child have tight lower back and leg muscles?

Children with generalized joint hypermobility often have loose joints but some tight muscles. The muscle tightness causes abnormal stresses in the joints and can lead to pain and discomfort.

Understanding pain and fatigue in joint hypermobility and EDS

Children with joint hypermobility and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome often experience pain in their joints and muscles. This may follow injury to the joint (sprains and subluxation) or may occur after even mildly strenuous exercise or without any apparent cause or provocation.

Children with joint hypermobility and low muscle tone often complain of leg pain at night or after exercise. They also tend to suffer from growing pains. Pain can be prevented and alleviated by gentle and safe stretches that target the tight structures without stretching lax joint ligaments.

5 Graded exercises 15 minutes a day. 4 weeks

Research has shown that strengthening the leg muscles in children with joint hypermobility not only reduces the pain experienced by children, but also reduces the risk of injury to the joints and prevents subluxation of joints.

A program of exercises to improve flexibility and strengthen the leg muscles in children who do not like walking distances and complain of pain in the legs.

A more technical discussion of the use of the term low muscle tone as a diagnosis with a bibliography.

Being able to stand on one leg is one of those skills that children really value. If approached in a way that allows for success and a way to measure progress most children are willing to spend time practicing to improve their level of skill.

Many children with joint hypermobility (low muscle tone) have problems with flat feet. Flat feet are associated with leg muscle tightness, weakness, balance problems and rotational malalignment of the leg.

Some children with flat feet also experience pain with walking distances and running.

Poor sitting posture in a child with low muscle tone

Why children with joint hypermobility and low muscle tone wo have poor sitting posture, tire quickly and may fidget a lot when working at a desk. .

Drawing and handwriting involves coordination of shoulder and elbow movements to move the hands across the page. Children with movement difficulties (low muscle tone, joint hypermobility, DCD, autism) often lack shoulder strength, flexibility and coordination needed for effective control of shoulder movements needed for drawing and handwriting.

Pigeon toes, an in-toeing gait, femoral anteversion and tibial torsion are different types of atypical torsional alignment of the thighs, knees and feet that occur in children, and are linked to bone growth as well as the strength, flexibility and coordination of the leg and foot muscles.

Focus on Joint Hypermobility

Joint hypermobility in children: what is it and how does it affect posture, coordination and fitness?

How hypermobility and low muscle tone affect your baby's development

Handwriting difficulties: low muscle tone, joint hypermobility and DCD

Joint hypermobility and EDS/HT Overview

Does my child have tight lower back and leg muscles?

Understanding pain and fatigue in joint hypermobility and EDS

Night pain and growing pains in children with joint hypermobility and low muscle tone

Strength training for painful legs

Training for walking fitness

Rethinking low muscle tone

Standing on one leg challenge

Flat feet - not just a foot problem

My child can't sit up straight and fidgets a lot at school. What is the reason?

Difficulties children have with shoulder control for drawing and handwriting

Pigeon toes, in-toeing gait, femoral anteversion and tibial torsion

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