Hypermobility Syndromes

About Hypermobility Syndromes

Hypermobility syndromes are typically caused by collagen deficiencies in your body’s connective tissue. This leads to weakened joints and ligaments, which bend further than average. About 1 in 4 people are thought to have some sort of hypermobility. In most cases, the symptoms are very mild, such as a double-jointed finger. If your symptoms impact your quality of life, your hypermobility syndrome will require medical attention.

Types of hypermobility syndromes:

Many conditions that affect collagen production are classified as hypermobility syndromes.

Types of hypermobility syndromes include:

• Ehlers-Danlos syndromes
• Marfan Syndrome
• Osteogenesis imperfecta

Symptoms of Hypermobility Syndromes

Symptoms of hypermobility syndromes can depend on your specific underlying condition.

Symptoms of hypermobility syndromes may include:

• Ability to hyper-extend joints
• Autonomic dysfunction
• Chronic fatigue or pain
• Problems with digestion, bowels, or bladder
• Skin that is easily bruised or slow to heal when wounded
• Stretchy skin
• Skin that is easily bruised or slow to heal when wounded
• Problems with digestion, bowels, or bladder

Risk Factors for Hypermobility Syndromes

Risk factors for hypermobility syndromes may include:

• Family history: Many conditions linked to hypermobility, including Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, Marfan syndrome, and osteogenesis imperfecta, are hereditary

Treating Hypermobility Syndromes at UT Health Austin

Hypermobility syndrome treatment starts with a thorough evaluation of all factors that may be contributing to your condition. Throughout your treatment, your provider will follow up with you regularly. The details of your treatment plan and the frequency of clinician follow-up may vary based on the severity of your condition.

Care Team Approach

At UT Health Austin, we take a multidisciplinary approach to your care. A tailored exercise program that might incorporate the expertise of physical therapists provides the foundation of treatment for patients with fibromyalgia. At the same time, a personalized approach to diagnosis and treatment might also incorporate assistance from additional practitioners. These can include rheumatologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, social workers, pharmacists, and others working together to help you get back to the things in your life that matter most to you.

We collaborate with our colleagues at the Dell Medical School and The University of Texas at Austin to utilize the latest research, diagnostic, and treatment techniques, allowing us to identify new therapies to improve treatment outcomes. We are committed to communicating and coordinating your care with referring physicians and other partners in the community to ensure that we provide comprehensive, whole-person care.