hypermobility

Omg mabey I could post some pictures of my tumb in "the" weird position xD

double jointed is way easier to say haha well i guess not easier but people wont question you when you say it. but it might get better..?

like Roma said, in the UK, double jointedness is diagnosed but (bar it being VERY severe) it isn't seen as a syndrome or disability unless it is actively debilitating. Both my partner and I have it (my knees bend backwards, I was just shown strengthening exercises and monitored-his shoulder pops out, but due to his hypermobility he pops it back in!!). Generally you are given strengthening exercises and monitored, but it's all very low-key. I am VERY glad I didn't show off as a youngster because that's the number 1 way to have poppy joints as a 30+!

My worse situation was when I fell on ice last winter, my knee twisted and rotated like a ball-and-socket because there was nothing to hold it in place at the back and I ripped up all my tendons at the front (ie the stronger-than-average ones that I need to stand normally), I was using a stick for several months and couldn't drive. Bah.

Mind you I'd rather have strange knees than a cartilage issue, my sister has that and it's way more painful.

Rainbow, the funny sounds are caused by excess nitrogen in 'gaps' between the 2 bones. Sounds wierd, but I have that too. My worst habit is wriggling my toe or swinging my leg on tall chairs/stools. All you can hear is clickclickclick... - I don't notice but it totally freaks people out!

My friend has been diagnosed with this too. it totally sucks and it is a little bit more than just being double jointed, don't know how many times I've had to catch her because her knees have popped out when she's sat in one position for too long.

just bumping this topic, reacted a few years ago lol.
My thumb got worse, I can't even press things down with it anymore... it's really annoying.

Roma and Squizita - do your research before leaving uninformed comments. I know this post is super-old, but I just hate to see such ignorance. Being double-jointed and having hypermobility are the same thing yes - it is mostly having a cool ability to do wierd things with your joints. However, 5% of double-jointed people have hypermobility-syndrome (or ehlers danlos hypermobility type) which causes a lot of pain and can be pretty awful for some people. Next time, google before making such ignorant comments.

I've also looked up hypermobility and Ehler's Danlos syndrome on the web. The reason I did so is because I'm double jointed in my shoulders and elbows. Basically, my elbows bend downward past 180* and my shoulders are flexible. Those things combined allow me to lick my elbow...so yes, people think it's cool that i can lick my elbow because it's supposed to be impossible. However, I wake up with aching pains in my elbows at times and can't put too much stress on my arms.

Rachel - have you spoken to a doctor about it? If you are getting pain from your hypermobility it's likely you have the syndrome bit too. Ask to be reffered to a rheumatologist. Even if it's only minor it's best to see someone early to learn physio exercises, what you should and shouldn't be doing etc to prevent it getting worse. You have to go in knowing your stuff though, as many doctors haven't even heard of the syndrome

Wow, I've not heard of this until now. This explains a lot. Thank you everyone for the helpful info.

The biggest thing I've found with having hypermobility is to not stop doing things because of it. The best thing to do it to do things! My doctor told me that swimming is the best exercise for people with hypermobility since it is a lot of work, but puts no weight strain on your joints (=no pain, little risk of dislocation and damage)

My knees and hips are constantly popping out, but have been a lot better since exercising more and wearing arch supports in my shoes (straightens leg since I am flat footed therefore putting less pressure on the joints)

The worst thing for me is my hands, my hypermobility combined with incredibly fine veins not only means my joints pop out and hurt, but they're always stone cold which makes it worse! Yay!

It's not a serious issue, I also have Crohn's disease, and that's what gets most of my medical attention!

My friend has Ehlers danlos syndrome. It affects every part of her life and she has to have injections and medication to cope with the pain. However, she also does a job she loves (youth theatre) and she has two beautiful kids. So, although it has a downside it doesn't have to stop you living a full and happy life. Good luck!

I have Hypermobility! I can do the thing with my thumb, and getting my arms from my back to front! It is so fun to gross people out

hence the fact I can make my hand do all sorts of contorsions, my fingers bend backwards at a 90 degree angle,

Hi a couple of years ago I I was diagnosed with benign hypermobility but genetics in East London. My younger sister has EDS type 3, another sister and her son the same as me and basically there are so many in my family that if tested would pretty much have bhm too.
I am almost 40 now and and things are pretty much getting worse, if my sleep is disturbed I tend to have head pain normally on one side of my head and my head feels like it's filled with water, sometimes neck pain, acid, constantly feels like there is something in my throat, fatigue, during the day I get this feeling like my adrenaline is going I feel weak and tired and my heart feels like it is beating fast, joints constantly click, IBS, heavy periods, I take lithium and duloxetine for recurrent depressive disorder I would say similar to bipolar but I dont get long lasting highs, sometimes i'm freezing but sweating at the same time and now i'm getting these pains in my fingers mainly around knuckles and fingers can sort of lock up and fronts of lower hand clicking like the small bones are locking up. I don't bruise easy but was getting huge bruises on my calf muscles appear for no reason or I would experience pain like a stinging sensation on hands or legs then it would feel like a vein had burst and it was purple. I feel even more down that I feel that I have never experienced being a woman I dont feel womanly I have all spider veins on my legs and just cover up in the summer and now all my partner is saying oh would help if you were out working bringing money in which yeah would be fine but then I couldnt come home and tend to all the house work just havent the energy just had enough i'm not on disability or ever claimed in either.
Can't go to the doctor feel like a hyochondriac and he isnt even helpful didnt even want to know about urine problems I have.