What are the symptoms? Although some people with BJHS have little or no trouble, in others, pain can be a recurring or, in some, even a constant problem. This renders them prone to the effects of injury and over-use resulting in acute (short-term) pain on prolonged and unaccustomed exercise. More chronic day-in day-out pain is also seen and may require a variety of measures, which can vary from one person to another in order to control it. About seven to ten per cent of the population of school-age children has been found to have loose joints and occasional pain in the joints and muscles, especially after exercise or at night. Most children with HMS complain of joint pains in the evening or sometime after exercise. These mostly occur in the knees, ankles or non specifically in the legs. Sometimes the joints may appear to be swollen. Swelling should be treated as with any injury: RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Young children generally do not like ice, but it can be used with older children. If the joint pain persists, a doctor should be consulted. Children with HMS often wake up in the night complaining of pain in the legs. For the majority, symptoms will improve as they grow older as their supporting muscles and ligaments get tighter and this is why this used to be called ‘growing pains’ which we now feel does not exist. How is it treated? Some may need to have physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry and pain management through psychology to help strengthen specific muscles that stabilise joints and cope with their pain. It is important that children continue to exercise and do sport to build up their strength and muscles. Inheritance patterns and prenatal diagnosis Inheritance patternsAs in most of the heritable disorders of connective tissue, the pattern of inheritance for the BJHS is autosomal dominant. This means that 50 per cent of the offspring may carry the gene for the condition. In BJHS, this does not imply that they will inherit any particular set of symptoms, since many affected people have no ill effects at all. It used to be thought that hypermobility simply represented the upper end of the normal distribution of joint laxity. This view has been challenged as increasing evidence emerges to suggest that it is also a genetic connective tissue disorder, (albeit a relatively mild one) in its own right. Prenatal diagnosisIf a genetic form of hypermobility is known to affect members of a family, referral for genetic advice or counselling should be sought. Is there support? Hypermobility Syndrome Association (HMSA) Helpline: 033 3011 6388Email: via websiteWebsite: hypermobility.org The Association is a Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1011063 and Scotland No. SC037916. It provides information and support to those affected by one of the hypermobility syndromes. The Association has a network of support groups throughout the UK, an online forum, and a family programme. Group details last updated June 2016.
What are the symptoms? Although some people with BJHS have little or no trouble, in others, pain can be a recurring or, in some, even a constant problem. This renders them prone to the effects of injury and over-use resulting in acute (short-term) pain on prolonged and unaccustomed exercise. More chronic day-in day-out pain is also seen and may require a variety of measures, which can vary from one person to another in order to control it. About seven to ten per cent of the population of school-age children has been found to have loose joints and occasional pain in the joints and muscles, especially after exercise or at night. Most children with HMS complain of joint pains in the evening or sometime after exercise. These mostly occur in the knees, ankles or non specifically in the legs. Sometimes the joints may appear to be swollen. Swelling should be treated as with any injury: RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Young children generally do not like ice, but it can be used with older children. If the joint pain persists, a doctor should be consulted. Children with HMS often wake up in the night complaining of pain in the legs. For the majority, symptoms will improve as they grow older as their supporting muscles and ligaments get tighter and this is why this used to be called ‘growing pains’ which we now feel does not exist.
How is it treated? Some may need to have physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry and pain management through psychology to help strengthen specific muscles that stabilise joints and cope with their pain. It is important that children continue to exercise and do sport to build up their strength and muscles.
Inheritance patterns and prenatal diagnosis Inheritance patternsAs in most of the heritable disorders of connective tissue, the pattern of inheritance for the BJHS is autosomal dominant. This means that 50 per cent of the offspring may carry the gene for the condition. In BJHS, this does not imply that they will inherit any particular set of symptoms, since many affected people have no ill effects at all. It used to be thought that hypermobility simply represented the upper end of the normal distribution of joint laxity. This view has been challenged as increasing evidence emerges to suggest that it is also a genetic connective tissue disorder, (albeit a relatively mild one) in its own right. Prenatal diagnosisIf a genetic form of hypermobility is known to affect members of a family, referral for genetic advice or counselling should be sought.
Is there support? Hypermobility Syndrome Association (HMSA) Helpline: 033 3011 6388Email: via websiteWebsite: hypermobility.org The Association is a Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1011063 and Scotland No. SC037916. It provides information and support to those affected by one of the hypermobility syndromes. The Association has a network of support groups throughout the UK, an online forum, and a family programme. Group details last updated June 2016.