Joint hypermobility

What is joint hypermobility?

Joint hypermobility simply means that you can move some or all of your joints more than most people can. You may have been aware from an early age that your joints were more supple than other people's. You may think of it as being double-jointed. If a number of joints are affected your doctor may refer to this as generalised joint hypermobility.

Hypermobility itself isn't a medical condition and many people don't realise they are hypermobile if it doesn't cause any problems. It might even be an advantage in sports, playing musical instruments or dance.

However, some people with hypermobile joints may have symptoms such as joint or muscle pain and may find that their joints are prone to injury or even dislocation. If you do have symptoms then you may have joint hypermobility syndrome – also referred to as benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS) or sometimes Ehlers–Danlos syndrome type 3. It may be useful to think of it like this:

Generalised joint hypermobility + symptoms = joint hypermobility syndrome

Who gets joint hypermobility?

Some people are more likely than others to have hypermobile joints. The main factors that play a part are:


Hypermobility resulting from abnormal collagen or from shallow joint sockets is likely to be inherited. However, we don't yet know whether joint pain linked to hypermobility might be inherited.


Women are more likely than men to have hypermobile joints.


The collagen fibres in your ligaments tend to bind together more as you get older, which is one reason why many of us become stiffer with age. Hypermobile people who are very flexible and pain-free when younger may find that they’re less flexible when they reach their 30s or 40s and that stretching movements more uncomfortable.

Ethnic background

People of different ethnic backgrounds have differing degrees of mobility in their joints, which may reflect differences in the structure of the collagen proteins. For example, people from the Indian sub-continent often have much more supple hands than Europeans.


Joint hypermobility can sometimes be developed, for example by gymnasts and athletes, through the training exercises they do. Yoga can also make the joints more supple by stretching the muscles.

Other conditions

Many people with Down’s syndrome are hypermobile. And hypermobility is also a feature of some rarer inherited conditions including osteogenesis imperfect, Marfan syndrome and some types of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome.



  • Muscle strain or pain (especially after hard physical work or exercise) – Your muscles have to work harder if your joints are very supple and this can lead to muscle strain and a general feeling of fatigue. In effect, an 'overuse' injury develops in the muscles around the joint (though the pain may seem to come from the joint itself).
  • Foot and ankle pain – You may easily twist and strain at the ankles, and have a flat arch to your foot that can lead to foot pain, particularly after standing for a long time.
  • Neck pain and backache – This can be a problem if your spine is particularly supple and the muscles around your spine aren't working to support it correctly. Very occasionally the bones in your back can slip on another (this is called a spondylolisthesis).
  • Injured or dislocated joints – Hypermobile joints are more likely than normal joints to get injured if they're overstretched. Sometimes the joint can dislocate – this is most common in the shoulder or the kneecap. Sometimes the soft tissues in and around joints (cartilage, tendons, ligaments) can tear.


Four factors may affect whether or not you have hypermobile joints:

Weak or stretched ligaments – Ligaments are made up of several types of protein fibre, including elastin (which gives stretchiness) and collagen (which gives strength). Small changes in the chemical processes in your body can result in weakened collagen fibres and more elasticity in the ligaments that help to hold the joints together. This is likely to cause hypermobility in many joints. There's fairly strong evidence that hypermobility caused by abnormal collagen can be inherited. If one parent has this type of hypermobility then half of their children are likely to inherit it, though members of the same family may be affected differently.

The shape of your bones – If the socket part of the hip or shoulder joint is particularly shallow, the range of movement in the joint will be greater than usual and there'll also be a greater chance of dislocation. This is likely to affect a single joint or a small number of joints. It isn't a common cause of hypermobility but is likely to be inherited.

Muscle tone – The tone (or stiffness) of your muscles is controlled by your nervous system. The more relaxed your muscles are, the more movement you’ll have in your joints.

Sense of joint movement (proprioception) – Some people find it difficult to sense the position of a joint without being able to see it.


Your GP will be able to make a diagnosis of generalised joint hypermobility or joint hypermobility syndrome by examining you and asking you a series of questions.

The Beighton score is a quick measure of your flexibility using a standard set of movements at the thumb/wrist, fifth finger, elbows, lower back, and knees. A high Beighton score means you’re hypermobile but doesn’t mean you have joint hypermobility syndrome. If you have problems with joints other than those included in the Beighton score, then you should mention these to your doctor. Other joints which may be affected include the jaw, neck, shoulders, mid-spine, hips, ankles and feet.

The Brighton criteria take into account how many hypermobile joints you have and whether you've had pain in those joints. If you have four or more hypermobile joints and have had pain in those joints for three months or more then it's likely that you have joint hypermobility syndrome. These criteria also take account of other concerns such as dislocations, injuries to the tissues around the joints, and lax skin.


Joint hypermobility itself isn't something that can be 'cured' or changed. It's just the way your body is built. However, where it causes symptoms, these can often be controlled by a combination of pacing your activity and physiotherapy. However, drug treatments are also available if you need them.

Physical therapies

Research has shown the value of exercise. In most cases you can ease your symptoms by doing gentle exercises to strengthen and condition the muscles around the hypermobile joints. The important thing is to do these strengthening exercises often and regularly but not to overdo them. Use only small weights, if any.

A physiotherapist will be able to advise you on suitable exercises. For some people gentle stretching seems to be of additional benefit.

You can use splints, taping or firm elastic bandages if you need to protect against dislocation. An occupational therapist or physiotherapist can advise on these.


Painkillers (analgesics) are the usual treatment if you have symptoms. Paracetamol is normally the first choice. It's often better to take a dose before activity to keep the pain under control rather than waiting until it's very bad. Your doctor can prescribe a stronger painkiller such as co-codamol or co-dydramol if necessary, though these may sometimes cause side-effects such as constipation or dizziness.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be more helpful if your joint often swells up, especially after dislocation. You can buy ibuprofen from your local chemist or supermarket without a prescription. See your doctor if the regular dose isn't helping, as they may be able to prescribe a higher dose or a different NSAID. NSAIDs can cause digestive problems so your doctor may prescribe another drug along with the NSAID to help protect your stomach. Your doctor will be cautious about prescribing NSAIDs if you may be at increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

Painkillers and NSAIDs are also available as sprays or creams which you can apply directly to the painful joint. These may not be quite so effective but may be an option if tablets aren't suitable for you.


In general, surgery in and/or around the joints isn't recommended for people with joint hypermobility syndrome unless it's absolutely necessary. This is because tissue that's very supple doesn't usually heal as well as less supple tissue. Also, some people with hypermobile joints bruise easily and may need more blood transfusions if they have major surgery.

However, if you tear a tendon (which is more likely than usual if you have hypermobile joints) then this should usually be repaired with surgery.

Managing symptoms

There are several steps you can take to help yourself in your daily life.


Regular exercise is important as part of a healthy lifestyle, and there’s no reason why people with hypermobile joints shouldn’t exercise. However, if you find that certain sports or exercises involve movements that cause pain then you should stop these activities until it's clear why there is pain. With the right strengthening exercises it may be possible to return to these activities without increasing pain. A physiotherapist can advise you about exercises to improve control of the movements and loads required in your preferred sport or exercise.

Swimming can help, where the weight of your body is supported by water, although breaststroke can irritate the knee and hip, so it's best to paddle your legs. We also recommend cycling.

If any of your joints dislocate regularly it may help to wear a splint or elastic bandage while exercising. You may need to see a physiotherapist or orthotist for supports if this is a significant problem.

Read more about exercise and arthritis.

Diet and nutrition

There’s no specific diet to help joint hypermobility, but we would recommend a healthy, balanced diet to keep your weight under control and for your general health.

Read more about diet and arthritis.

There’s no evidence to support a particular therapy for hypermobility, although acupuncture is recommended in the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for low back pain.

Generally speaking complementary and alternative therapies are relatively safe, although you should always discuss their use with your doctor before starting treatment. It’s important to go to a legally registered therapist, or one who has a set ethical code and is fully insured.

If you decide to try therapies or supplements you should be critical of what they’re doing for you, and base your decision to continue on whether you notice any improvement.

Read more about complementary therapies and arthritis.


There’s a wide variation in the shape of the foot in people who are hypermobile. Most tend to have flat feet but a few have a high-arched foot. Special insoles in your shoes (orthoses) may help to support the arch of the foot. By re-aligning the foot and the way the body's weight passes through the legs it may help balance and reduce pain in the foot, ankle, leg, hip and lower back.