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Finding facts about hypermobility can be difficult. Plus, it normally involves searching across multiple sites to find the best ones.
But we’ve solved this problem, by rounding up the most astonishing facts about hypermobility all in one post.
Keen to find out more? Then, read on.
Facts About Hypermobility
- 20% of the US population have joint hypermobility.
- 1 in 5 people in the UK are hypermobile. But many not suffer any problems with their hypermobility.
- HSD and hEDS affects between 1 in 600 and 1 in 900 people.
- It takes an average of 10 to 12 years for people get a HSD or hEDS diagnosis.
- The diagnostic criteria for hEDS was changed in 2017. Before that most people who are today diagnosed with HSD would have been given a diagnosis of hEDS.
- 56% of patients with HSD and EDS are misdiagnosed.
- hEDS is the most common subtype of EDS, affecting 90% of patients.
- 58% of people with EDS, seek help from more than five doctors before they’re diagnosed.
- 54% of people with HSD and hEDS report an improvement in their symptoms when using physical therapy.
- Females are more likely to be hypermobile than males (90% compared to 10%).
- Females with hEDS have smaller cortical bones which put them at greater risk of fractures.
- A child with one parent with hypermobility has a 50% chance of inheriting the condition. This rises to 75% when both parents are hypermobile.
- Scientists don’t yet know which genes are responsible for hypermobility. So far, several different genes have been identified and work is ongoing.
- EDS isn’t a new condition. It dates back to 400 BC. Back then, it was described by the Hippocrates as a medical condition that causes joint laxity and multiple scars.
- Up to 15% of children are hypermobile, but many grow out of hypermobility as they age.
- The parents of children with HSD and hEDS are often investigated for child abuse.
- Being able to do a Reverse-Namaskar is a key sign of EDS.
- 50% of people with EDS can do the Gorlin sign, compared to 10% of the general population.
- Many people with hypermobility have blue sclera. This is where the whites of their eyes are blue.
- Researchers believe that hypermobility makes vaginal births easier.
- Pregnancy and birth complications are more common in women with EDS than in women without the condition.
- People with hypermobility are more likely to experience anxiety than people without hypermobility.
- 78% of 10 to 16-year-olds with generalized joint hypermobility have abnormal bleeding.
- 59% of children with generalized joint hypermobility experience easy bruising.
- Studies have found that women with hypermobility typically exercise less frequently than women who aren’t hypermobile.
- HSD and hEDS sufferers are less likely to withdraw from social activities than people with cEDS and vEDS.
- Taking part in mindfulness programs, including meditation can reduce the pain associated with HSD and hEDS.
- hEDs and HSD increase your chances of getting illnesses, such as colds, due to immune dysfunction.
- Hypermobile males have less strength in their elbows and knees than non-hypermobile males.
- Females with hypermobility have significantly higher rates of hypermobility of the spine, knee and elbow joints than hypermobile males.
There are some great facts about hypermobility and we hope you’ve learnt something new from this post.
Want to know more about hypermobility? Check out our post on The Link Between Hypermobility and Subluxations.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6858200/
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/24/health/hypermobile-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-health-hnk-spc-dst-intl/index.html
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00296-021-04968-3
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6335943/
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/hypermobile-joints
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/12/221201123037.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4845357/
