Joint hypermobility disorders :

Hypermobile Kneecap - - Posted by KneePain326 (Emily), 24 May 2003

Ok, I have a confusing question!! My ortho always tells me that my knee cap is very hypermobile... can my kneecap be hypermobile without other hypermobility?
I had really never thought twice about it until I started readig this board, and I have some of the problems you are listing under Hypermobility symptoms... of course some can be caused my a TON of different things!  

Thanks!

Emily
Posted by Shazinoz (Shazinoz), 25 May 2003

The answer is YES Emily.
Hypermobility can be :Generalised (like in most of us Odd Bods), and then can be In JUST lkarge Joints (like Hips and Shoulders) or Just Small Joints (like Fingers and Toes).
Hypermobility can also be something you are born with (like HMS'ers and EDS'ers and the like) or from a simple minor defect when you were "made" (Like some people have birth marks, some people also get say kneecaps that are off centre or legs that are just a fraction twisted etc) or it can be AQUIRED, i.e You can GET hypermobile from working at it (like some sports persons (especially Gymnasts and ballet Dancers)or you can AQUIRE to from INJURY, Say you have damaged the ligaments and tendons around your ankle (for eg) and they don't heal 100%, then you will more than likely be left with a Hypermobile ankle.
The term HYPERMOBILE, simply means the ability to move a joint (or joints) more than is considered NORMAL (ie. knees backwards more than 10 degrees and the like).
You can therefore have Hypermobility in just one joint and it can be something you were born with or it can be something that has happened form injury and the like.
Hope this helps
Sharon
Posted by Shazinoz (Shazinoz), 25 May 2003

PLEASE EMily,
Don't be scared or concerned by what you read about some of us Hypermobiles, it just happenes that a few of us on here happen to have the RARE genetic Hypermobility disorders (like HMS and EDS and even OI or Marfan's).
This in NO WAY means that you can get it or will get it, these disorders are something that you are BORN WITH, they are Genetic and you cannot catch them.
We simply talk about this stuff on here, because it is SO uncommon to meet others like ourselves with Generalised (BODY) hypermobility and also other symptoms.
HMS (or Hypermobility Syndrome) is said to occur when you sroce a 4/9 (or 5/9, can't remember which) or better on the Beighton Scale. (THis is listed in another post in this section). PLUS also have other Symptoms (NOT related to a current injury or other disorder). LIKe chronic pain, dislocations, chronic sprains, breaking bones (more than normal), and a whole lot more.
OK
PLEASe read what we post about this stuff, and even try out the beighton score and see (for fun sake) what you score, but PLEASE don't be worried that you have any of the Genetic disorders as chances of that are actually rather slim (and also in a lot of them, your family memebers also show signs as well) i.e the GENETIC bit (but not alwasy ehnce the term Mutation .
HEY US ODD BOD'S could be X-MEN <LOL>
Hope this helps to allay any fears of ending up like Jo (SL99) or Rhea or Me or other on here who tend to have the more seroius Genetic Connective Tissue Disorders.
Sharon
Posted by KneePain326 (Emily), 25 May 2003

Hey guys!

Sharon~ Wow, I think its safe to say you know your stuff, thanks for all the information!!! I dont think I have a hypermobility syndrome, just my knee... well and some of my fingers ! Do you know if its possibly for hypermobility to be made worse by quad atrophy? Both my kneecaps are hypermobile... the right is a lot worse though and the left one isnt painful  ! Your second post cracked me up!! Reading all the stuff yall say deosnt concern me about my own hypermobility, the only reason I even thought to ask about it was becasue so many of the things I experience are on your other symptoms list.

M~ Wow its gotta be hard to have every joint be hypermobile!! I think if I were like that id find myself falling over a lot  !

Emily
Posted by Shazinoz (Shazinoz), 26 May 2003

I too am Hypermobile in everyhting (but my fingers and elbows).
Yes Quad atrophy could add to your Hypermobilitry as your Quad isn't doing it's JOB of holding your knee cap where it should be.
I do know a bit about this NOW, only through necessity as my doctors NEVER seem to know much about it.
I was diagnosed as hypermobile by a PT when I was 18 (I am now 32) so have had a LOT of time to research it. Like most I was told that Hypermobility was a good thing and not to worry about it.
Little did I know I actually had a connective tissue disorder (In my case the Hypermobile form of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) and that it effects pretty much EVERYTHING in my body that is made of Collagen.
It does EXPLAIN a LOT though.
And YES <LOL> if you are a person with Generalised (Whole body) Hypermobility you can (and I DO) have problems with falling over and more
Sharon

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