Hyperlaxity is excessive joint movements.

The resistance and strength of the body’s internal tissues are managed by certain connective tissue proteins. In the case of a modification within these proteins, abnormalities relating to the mobile parts of the body (joints, tendons, cartilage and ligaments) are then more impacted, becoming more vulnerable and more fragile and can cause lesions. It is therefore an articular hyperlaxity.

This hyperlaxity leads to easy and painless hyper-extension of certain members of the body. This flexibility of the limbs is the direct consequence of a vulnerability or even an absence of ligaments and sometimes of bone fragility.

This pathology concerns more the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees and fingers. Hyperlaxity usually appears in childhood, during the development of connective tissues.

Other names are associated with the disease, they are: (2)

– hypermobility;

– disease of loose ligaments;

– hyperlaxity syndrome.

People with hyperlaxity are more sensitive and have a higher risk of fractures and ligament dislocations during sprains, strains, etc.

Means make it possible to limit the risk of complications in the context of this pathology, in particular:

– muscle and ligament strengthening exercises;

– learning the “normal range” of movements in order to avoid hyper-extensions:

– protection of ligaments during physical activity, using padding systems, knee pads, etc.

Treatment of the disease involves pain relief and ligament strengthening. In this context, a prescription of drugs (creams, sprays, etc.) is often associated and accompanied by therapeutic physical exercises. (3)

Hyperlaxity is excessive joint movements.

The resistance and strength of the body’s internal tissues are managed by certain connective tissue proteins. In the case of a modification within these proteins, abnormalities relating to the mobile parts of the body (joints, tendons, cartilage and ligaments) are then more impacted, becoming more vulnerable and more fragile and can cause lesions. It is therefore an articular hyperlaxity.

This hyperlaxity leads to easy and painless hyper-extension of certain members of the body. This flexibility of the limbs is the direct consequence of a vulnerability or even an absence of ligaments and sometimes of bone fragility.

This pathology concerns more the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees and fingers. Hyperlaxity usually appears in childhood, during the development of connective tissues.

Other names are associated with the disease, they are: (2)

– hypermobility;

– disease of loose ligaments;

– hyperlaxity syndrome.

People with hyperlaxity are more sensitive and have a higher risk of fractures and ligament dislocations during sprains, strains, etc.

Means make it possible to limit the risk of complications in the context of this pathology, in particular:

– muscle and ligament strengthening exercises;

– learning the “normal range” of movements in order to avoid hyper-extensions:

– protection of ligaments during physical activity, using padding systems, knee pads, etc.

Treatment of the disease involves pain relief and ligament strengthening. In this context, a prescription of drugs (creams, sprays, etc.) is often associated and accompanied by therapeutic physical exercises. (3)

Most cases of hyperlaxity are not related to any underlying cause. In this case, it is benign hyperlaxity.

In addition, this pathology can also be linked to:

– abnormalities in the bone structure, the shape of the bones;

– abnormalities in tone and muscle stiffness;

– the presence of hyperlaxity in the family.

This last case highlights the possibility of heredity in the transmission of the disease.

In more rare cases, hyperlaxity results from underlying medical conditions. These include: (2)

– Down syndrome, characterized by intellectual disability;

– cleidocranial dysplasia, characterized by an inherited disorder in the development of bones;

– Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, characterized by significant elasticity of the connective tissue;

– Marfan syndrome, which is also a connective tissue disease;

– Morquio syndrome, an inherited disease which affects the metabolism.

The risk factors for developing this disease are not fully known.

Certain underlying pathologies may be additional risk factors in the development of the disease, such as; Down syndrome, cleidocranial dysplasia, etc. However, these conditions only affect a minority of patients.

In addition, a suspicion of transmission of the disease to the offspring has been put forward by scientists. In this sense, the presence of genetic mutations for certain genes, in the parents, can make them an additional risk factor for developing the disease.

The diagnosis of the disease is made in a differential way, in view of the various associated characteristics.

The Beighton test then makes it possible to assess the impact of the disease on muscle movements. This test consists of a series of 5 exams. These relate to:

– the position of the palm of the hand on the ground while keeping the legs straight;

– bend each elbow backwards;

– bend each knee backwards;

– bend the thumb towards the forearm;

– bend the little finger backwards by more than 90 °.

In the context of a Beighton score greater than or equal to 4, the subject is potentially suffering from hyperlaxity.

A blood test and x-rays may also be necessary in the diagnosis of the disease. These methods make it possible in particular to highlight the development of rheumatoid arthritis.