Cymraeg
Flexible Joints
Being flexible is not necessarily a problem. People like gymnasts can be very flexible and have no problems as a result. However, sometimes having flexible joints when you are growing can make it difficult for some children to learn new skills, can make it hard to keep their balance and can cause pain.
If your child’s joints can move more than is usual without pain, then they have flexible joints (can also be called hypermobility). This is because the soft tissue inside your joints is more stretchy than usual. This is generally nothing to worry about. The only way to help is to strengthen the muscles around the joints to help keep them strong and stable.
It is also important to make sure they are getting enough physical activity every day to help keep the muscles strong.
What causes increased flexibility/hypermobility?
- It can run in the family
- The Shape of the bones
- Looser ligaments
- Girls experience more commonly than boys
Most people won’t experience any problems, however some people may experience:
Pain and muscle stiffness
Pains tend to be worse after exercise – both immediately afterwards and the next day when muscles can be stiff and tender. As a result, affected children and young people start to avoid exercise. This makes their muscles and bodies less strong. As the muscles in the body become less strong, children and young people may develop worsening symptoms.
Clicking joints
Sometimes a child/young person may experience ‘clicky’ joints, which may click repeatedly but this is usually harmless.
Fatigue
If children become unfit they tire more quickly. Their muscles also tire quicker and provide less stability to the hypermobile joint, resulting in excessive movement of the joint that results in pain.
What can I do to help myself/my child?
The aim is for young people and families to recognise the importance of carrying out regular exercise to improve muscle tone and strength. This will help to maintain joint stability and ease the symptoms of hypermobility.
- Regular exercise is important as part of a healthy lifestyle to strengthen muscles and allow better control of flexible joints. There’s no reason why people with hypermobile joints shouldn’t exercise; in fact it is a crucial part of minimising the symptoms of hypermobility. It improves strength and stamina
- Swimming is really beneficial to improve strength and fitness in an environment that allows you free, full movement and supports your body weight
- Strengthening exercises should be done regularly, but start gently to avoid straining your joints e.g. Cycling, Pilates or Tai Chi – these are types of low impact activities that don’t put much pressure on the joints
- Maintain a healthy weight – or to try to return to one. Being underweight will make muscles weaker, whilst being overweight puts more strain on the joints. Both extremes will tend to increase symptoms
- Wear supportive shoes or trainers
- Avoid carrying heavy books – Ensure you wear a rucksack on both shoulders and store books in a locker instead of carrying them all around
- Pencil Grips can help with comfort if you’re struggling with writing
What should I not do?
Use special equipment – Wheelchairs and crutches are very unhelpful, as they will tend to make the person weaker and the situation worse.
Continue certain sports or exercises that cause pain – These are often high impact or twisting/turning activities. You should stop these activities until it’s clear why you have pain. With the right strengthening exercises it may be possible to return to these activities at an appropriate time without increasing pain.
Avoid slouching at a desk – use the chair for support with feet flat on the floor
Avoid W sitting – sitting on the floor with your bottom between your feet
Not all children with pain and flexible joints need to be seen by a physiotherapist but if you are not sure of the cause of your child’s pain or
- lasts for more than 4 weeks
- stops the child from doing things
- they feel unwell and or have a high temperature (fever)
- They have significant weight loss
- The pain is getting worse
- They have night sweats
- The pain is disturbing their sleep
- If they have any pins and needles, weakness or numbness
- Complain of stiffness or difficulty in moving
Then seek a medical assessment via GP or 111
The information in Step Two and Step Three explains the factors that can affect the severity and impact of muscle joint and bone symptoms.
The information in Step Two and Step Three explains the factors that can affect the severity and impact of muscle joint and bone symptoms.
Step Two explains the factors that may be contributing to your situation.
Step Three explains self-management advice on what you can do to help yourself.
Following the 3-step process will help you make the most out of the information on this website.
What can be done to help myself/my child?
An assessment of your problem and treatment may be necessary if the self-management advice in Step 3 does not help. Consider seeking further help.
If you continue to be concerned about the symptoms you are experiencing and are unsure what to do contact your GP practice or ring NHS Wales 111.
