Anyone know anything about hypermobility?

[KleineMaus]

I've just discovered that ds's knee joints go back the wrong way if he stands for too long. My sister and I have the same thing in our elbows and the doctor told my sister it was joint hypermobility. Ds is only 2 and it's causing him pain (he often stands to wach tv), not sure whether to worry about it.

[cory]

Hi, both of my children have what's known as hypermobility syndrome. Lots of people are hypermobile without it ever causing them any problems. Hypermobility syndrome is when it actually gives you symptoms, like pain or mobility problems.

It is very unpredictable in how it effects you. Some people get very minor problems, others grow out of their problems, others are more severely affected.

Things you should do is take him to an orthopaedic appointment to see if he needs insoles/supporting boots etc. Also, see a rheumatologist and ask if he needs physio. By the time he starts school, he may need to see an occupational therapist about making his school day easier. Things like having the right kind of chair, an easy-grip pen, a sloping surface to write on can make a big difference.

It is important for hypermobile children to keep active- their muscles need to be extra strong to make up for weak joints- but to avoid the rougher contact sports (no bungy jumping) and to avoid overstraining joints.

[cory]

correction: affects, not effects. I've been spending too long on Mumsnet, not good for my spelling.

[GodzillasBumcheek]

have you tried googling 'ehlers danlos'? you should be able to find out more from there. Just make sure you don't scare yourself reading too much into it!

[Heated]

Make sure that school know - avoid or protect joints with supports for activities like the long jump where it's big impact on ankles/knees. Shoes/boots with ankle support were recommended.

As an adult for joint wear and tear I take glucosamine tablets and flax seed oil but sorry no idea for their appropriateness for children.

[tryingtobemarypoppins]

I have it and its great for Ballet dancing! Well in the days when I would/could wear lyrca!

[poshwellies]

I have it as does my ds.My ds was quite badly effected as a toddler and was under the local OT for exercises.

I was told to keep fit and active but don't do high impact/contact sports as this will effect the joints.

Be careful with ds as you can dislocate joints easier (my shoulder often popped out as a child).

My ds gets painful muscles and joints too.
Don't let him sit in the classic 'w' position (bum on ground and legs out to the sides and on the floor-bit like a frog) as this isn't good for him (my ds ALWAYS sat like that).There is a Hypermobility online support group but don't be too scared when you read-some people are hugely effected and some hardly notice they are hypermobile ,I didn't find out I was hypermobile until my late 20's (in all joints).

He'll be able to do great party tricks

[mimsum]

ds2 is hypermobile - it doesn't affect him too badly, esp now he's getting stronger (he's 9)

We've had to be careful about the shoes he wears - lace-up ankle boots are best as they give him the most support

He's got very unstable shoulder joints which made learning to write extremely tricky - the OT gave us lots of exercises (ds2 thought they were games) to help build up his strength and he's much better now

As far as sports go, it took him longer than his siblings to learn how to ride a bike or swim as he's much less coordinated, but it's starting to come together now. He still looks odd when he's running (and I suspect he always will), but weirdly he can play cricket - the OT said with his shoulder he shouldn't be able to bowl, but he can (apparently it's known as a 'splinter skill'), so even if on paper your child shouldn't be able to do something, it doesn't necessarily mean they won't

[Sycamoretree]

Hi, I have it and my DD also has it. We took her to a specialist at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital when she was about 2 because she was falling over ALL the time. I was constantly with my heart in my mouth and did not want to be that over protective mum.

Once when she ran off in front of me I watched her very closely. I could see that she was actually throwing one foot actually in the way of the following foot whilst she was running, and that's why it was only ever a matter of time before she tripped over her own feet.

The specialist was very reassuring. She encouraged building muscular and ligament strength so we did tumble tots and started ballet as soon as she was old enough at 3 as it is great for core strength and balance. Also discourages knock knees etc!

We have just encouraged her physically and it has got better and better month by month.

There was no other treatment necessary. She's probably be grateful for such flexibility as she gets older. She can stick both feet behind her head lol!

[Sycamoretree]

I meant to add it also took DD longer to learn to scoot etc than her peers, but she's great and confident now.

[TattyCatty]

Very timely thread for me, as we've got an Orthopaedics appointment for DD aged 3 on Thursday, when I'm going to ask for them to investigate Hypermobility. I have it, and DD is way behind her peers with physical milestones (crawled at 14 months, walked at 20 months), is very clumsy and already sits in the classic W position. Any thoughts on how best to tackle this with a Consultant who is renowned for being very dismissive on anything that doesn't require surgery would be greatly appreciated.

[KleineMaus]

Thanks for all the messages, really appreciated. I wasn't even sure if I should take him to the doctor, especially as my sister and I both have it and didn't even realise. If it wasn't for ds's knees being sore I wouldn't have noticed it in him either, he certainly isn't prone to falling and hasn't been noticeably delayed in any of his physical development. I will have to think about activities for him though (and changing the height of the TV so that he can sit to watch it rather than stand!)

[poshwellies]

Tatty- you need to see OT and Orthopaedic's-my son was behind on his mobility-bum shuffled and no walking until well over 2 yrs old,they will test all his joints and give you a plan and if they don't, go armed with info on hypermobility.

I hope it goes well-my ds really came on leaps on bounds when he attended a SN nursery(no speech either) as they had a weekly visiting OT and it was a fanatasic caring ,nurturing place.

He's able (and very vocal as they are at 6!) and a happy little chappy who is currently playing cricket for the under 8's.

Good luck! (I'd never thought my ds would be at this stage 4 yrs ago,try not to worry-hard I know.)