Joint Hypermobility Syndrome

Joint Hypermobility Syndrome is a condition where a person’s joints move further than normal as a result of having increased flexibility in their ligaments.

Sometimes this can be seen as a sign of good flexibility. But it can lead to joint pain, muscle fatigue, and instability, especially in the feet and ankles. Those afflicted with this condition may experience frequent sprains, poor balance, or difficulty maintaining their balance for extended periods of time.

At Gold Coast Foot Centres, our experienced podiatrists understand how hypermobility can affect your movement, posture, and overall comfort. That is why we can provide you with a thorough assessment to identify areas of joint weakness and instability. From there, we develop a bespoke treatment plan that addresses your needs.

This condition can affect both children and adults. In children, hypermobility may show as clumsiness, pain after activity, or flat feet. However, in adults, it often manifests as more persistent discomfort or repeated injuries as the joints and tissues become strained over time.

Our goal is to help strengthen and stabilise all our patients’ joints to allow them to move with greater freedom, confidence and comfort every day.

What Is Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS)?

Joint Hypermobility Syndrome is often referred to as Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder. The condition affects the body’s ligaments, tendons, and muscles. If left untreated, it can lead to excessive joint flexibility and instability.

Typically, the condition is caused by changes in the structure of your body’s collagen. This is the protein responsible for strength and elasticity in the body. People afflicted with hypermobility may be able to stretch or bend further than the average person. However, that same flexibility can increase the risk of soft tissue injuries and chronic joint pain.

Some patients with JHS may also have a related connective tissue disorder. This includes Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), where more widespread changes in connective tissue affect the skin, joints, and blood vessels.

That is why it is important to have any issues you experience with your ligaments, tendons, and muscles properly assessed by a qualified podiatrist.

How Hypermobility Affects the Feet, Ankles and Lower Limbs

Our feet and ankles are particularly vulnerable to issues caused by hypermobile joints.
Subsequently, if any ligaments or connective tissues are loose, the joints risk becoming unstable. This, in turn, results in the surrounding muscles having to work harder to maintain balance.

Some common problems that may develop in your lower limbs include:

• Flat feet (pes planus) which is caused by collapsing arches.

• Ankle sprains and repeated ligament strain due to joint instability.

• Knee instability and pain from misalignment.

• Overuse injuries in the calves or hips, due to compensating for weak foot posture.

Over time, this can lead to you experiencing increased fatigue, poor balance, and discomfort when walking or standing.

Recognising the Symptoms of Joint Hypermobility Syndrome

The signs of Joint Hypermobility Syndrome do vary between individuals. Some people may only notice mild flexibility. However, others can experience significant recurring pain or injury.

Common symptoms to look out for include:

• Frequent joint pain and stiffness after physical activity.

• Feeling of “looseness” or instability in the ankles, knees, or hips.

• Muscle fatigue or cramps, especially after standing or walking.

• Recurrent soft tissue injuries such as sprains or strains.

• Poor balance or coordination.

• Clicking or popping sounds in the joints.

Additionally, children with hypermobility may exhibit greater flexibility than others. They might also be prone to experiencing clumsiness or joint discomfort, particularly after participating in sports or school activities. By contrast, adults often report more persistent pain in the feet, knees, or lower back.

If you or your child is experiencing any of these issues, we recommend that you have them looked at by one of our specialist podiatrists at Gold Coast Foot Centres.

What Causes Joint Hypermobility Syndrome and Who’s at Risk?

Joint Hypermobility Syndrome usually has a genetic predisposition. Therefore, it is most often caused by inherited variations in collagen, which is what makes ligaments more elastic than they normally are.

This increased flexibility can affect the stability of your joints throughout the body. Some of the risk factors include:

• Family history of connective tissue disorder.

• Being female. (Hormones can influence joint laxity).

• Young age. Children and teenagers are often more flexible than their peers.

• Certain ethnic backgrounds naturally have a greater range of motion in their joints.

How We Diagnose Joint Hypermobility

At Gold Coast Foot Centres, we diagnose Joint Hypermobility through a combination of physical examination and medical history.

Our experienced podiatrists will assess your flexibility, muscle strength, and joint alignment by using standard tools. This includes the Beighton score, which helps measure a person’s degree of hypermobility.

During your consultation, you may be asked to:

• Bend your thumb or little finger backward beyond the normal range.

• Place your palms flat on the floor with your knees straight.

• Extend elbows or knees past 10 degrees.
  

If you register a high Beighton score, it indicates that you have greater joint laxity. Our podiatrists will examine for signs of joint instability, muscle weakness, and postural imbalance that may impact your walking or standing.

Their findings will be used to develop a tailored management plan aimed at reducing your pain levels and preventing future injuries.

How is Joint Hypermobility Syndrome Treated and Managed?

Unfortunately, there is no cure at present for Joint Hypermobility Syndrome. However, if you manage it properly, you can significantly reduce your symptoms and go about your daily activities more freely.

At Gold Coast Foot Centres, our treatment focuses on strengthening, stabilising, and aligning your feet. Our approach may include:

1. Custom Foot Orthotics

Custom orthotics can be very effective in supporting your joint alignment and reducing excessive motion in the feet and ankles.

They can also relieve pressure on your ligaments and muscles. This can help stabilise your foot structure and improve your balance.

2. Strengthening Exercises

Performing targeted strengthening exercises for your feet, calves, and hips may help to build your muscle support around loose joints.

These exercises improve stability. They can also reduce the risk of sprains and enhance your overall mobility and flexibility.

3. Posture and Gait Assessment

Conducting a detailed gait assessment enables us to identify movement patterns that may otherwise exacerbate pain or instability if left unaddressed.

Correcting these patterns can go a long way towards preventing overuse injuries and restoring your proper alignment.

4. Physiotherapy and Pain Management

We often work in collaboration with physiotherapy providers for patients who need additional strengthening or flexibility work.

We find that techniques such as muscle retraining, proprioceptive exercises, and pain management strategies can help restore control and comfort.

5. Footwear Advice

Donning proper footwear plays a significant role in controlling your joint instability. We recommend wearing supportive shoes with firm soles and good heel structure for patients with flat feet or ligament laxity.

Based on how hypermobility affects their lifestyle and level of activity, our podiatrists develop a personalised plan for each patient.

Why Choose Gold Coast Foot Centres for Hypermobility Care?

Gold Coast Foot Centres provides expert care for patients concerned about issues related to joint pain, instability, or excessive flexibility.

Our podiatrists understand how hypermobility affects the feet and lower limbs and use evidence-based treatments to help you move more comfortably.

At all of our clinics, we offer:

• Detailed assessments and Beighton score testing.

• Custom orthotics and footwear recommendations.

• Personalised strengthening and rehabilitation programs.

• Collaboration with physiotherapists for complete care.
  

We run an inclusive practice. The main goal of which is to help every patient manage their pain, improve their balance, and safely return to their normal activities.

Book Your Assessment for Hypermobility Today

If you or your child is experiencing symptoms of Joint Hypermobility Syndrome, the team at Gold Coast Foot Centres can help.

Our experienced podiatrists specialise in assessing and treating hypermobile joints. They also provide practical solutions to reduce your pain and restore your mobility.

Book an appointment today to discuss your symptoms. We are here to keep your joints strong and supported.

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