Hypermobility / double jointed

[CornishPorsche]

I've always been hypermobile. As a kid, it was obviously a party trick, with lots of sitting on my bum with legs crossed and ankles up on the opposite hips etc.

Now I'm knocking on for 40 and am continually and badly spraining my left ankle. I'm seeing a physio who thinks it's linked to the hypermobility.

Is this my future? Lots of sprains?

Any other adults out there with hypermobile related issues?

Flexible as possible. But you have to graduate to them really. I think first shoes like dms caused more issues than they helped.

You can get physio exercises for PF, I think a spiky ball rolled under foot features .

Since I stopped wearing firm soles shoes I've stopped getting it.

A flexible trainer might be a good first step. I love new balance and Asics.

*firm shoes

Podiatrist has told me to wear either ASICS or New Balance. Both have helped me

That's great hooves, chuffed I agree with your podiatrist! I found that out purely by accident. and NB are cool

You basically need to gently build up your own muscle strength in your feet to be able to support your own weight and posture. But it doesn't happen immediately.

I can get a similar thing on the tops of my wrists/ hands if I don't keep those strong and flexible.

I have found my people! I was diagnosed at 41, when my DD was diagnosed aged 10, which led on to diagnoses for my 3 DSs, my DH and my DM. We can see it came down through my DGF's family on my side, and my FIL's family on DH's side.

Symptoms in our house include, but are not limited to: unstable joints that sublux unexpectedly, problems with writing and sport, everyone needing orthotics in their shoes (except me), "weather joints" that have previously been broken but treated as sprained, multiple miscarriages and early deliveries (across several generations), digestive issues, prolapse, early hysterectomy, white finger, anxiety and depression, low blood pressure, unusual pain processing.

We are all trying to work on strength, proprioception, stability and energy but are honestly such a revolving carousel of symptoms over 6 people that it's a nightmare. There are also overlapping diagnoses of things like dyspraxia that are emphatically not helping.

Our podiatrist recommends Asics and we've found a specialist shoe shop for school shoes. "Just popping to Asda for a pair" is never an option. I used to do physio-led pilates, which was excellent, but had to stop due to time constraints and inability to bear weight on my knees.

Placemarking

I’m alright in any shoes so long as they have a fairly soft sole and a bit of ankle support. My Doc boots are perfect.
I can wear heels, but the combination of wobbly ankles, unstable hips and alcohol have led me to deck it on a night out on more than one occasion

Summer I was wearing fitflops and they were just paradise for my soles

My last jb was working with kids with EDS as part of my speciality.
Every case of hypermobility is very individual and people vary so much from having to be PEG fed because their digestive system doesn't work properly to someone who just falls over a bit more often.
You should read all the great sites online and work out where you are, there is also the Beighton/Brighton score which you can use to assess yourself with. They also have great tips and suggestions to prevent injury in everyday life and you can chat on the EDS forums.
I had a patient whose only symptom was stomach ache but on examination was hypermobile all over. She was young and had never had an injury so just wasn't aware.

Just wondering what treatment people have had once they've been diagnosed? I'm only jut beginning the process. Went to the gps today and they've sent a referral to a physiotherapist. Also need to go for a blood test. Previously saw a Nhs physiotherapist and they didn't know anything about hypermobility. I'm really struggling with the tiredness side of things

Nothing at all. It's never been a subject for a doctor to concern themselves with apparently.

It's all been self-managed here. DD's GP said nothing could be done until she'd stopped growing FFS. We paid for a private referral to get a proper diagnosis and some specific (private) physio for her, and have worked from there. DH and the DC all see a private podiatrist for orthotics. There are specialists out there, but you have to hunt for them and they are expensive. The tiredness aspect can be very difficult and you probably need to be well versed in Spoons theory. Schools, in particular, don't understand and are keen to believe otherwise healthy-presenting children are swinging the lead. Sorry, and good luck.

Ooh spoons has been mentioned to me before! I'm also autistic and it's used to explain managing energy levels

Just wondering what treatment people have had once they've been diagnosed?

Depends what your symptoms are and also whether you get referred to a specialist with experience of hypermobilty.

I have autonomic dysfunction linked to hEDS and am seeing a cardiologist plus respiratory services.

I have GI symptoms and have seen a gastroneurologist specialising in hypermobilty. He recommended a specific diet and supplements.

I've had physio by hypermobilty specialists but it was basically Pilates. Other physios that I've seen have no experience of hypermobilty at all and really don't know how to treat it.