Hypermobility spectrum disorder | |
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Other names | Hypermobility syndrome Joint hypermobility syndrome |
Hypermobile thumb | |
Specialty | Rheumatology, genetics |
Symptoms | Joint hypermobility, musculoskeletal pain, fatigue[1] |
Causes | Genetic[2] |
Hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD), related to earlier diagnoses such as hypermobility syndrome (HMS), and joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) is a heritable connective tissue disorder[3] that affects joints and ligaments. Different forms and sub-types have been distinguished, but it does not include asymptomatic joint hypermobility, sometimes known as double-jointedness.
Symptoms can include the inability to walk properly or for long distances, and pain in affected areas. Some people with HSD have hypersensitive nerves and a weaker immune system. It can also cause severe fatigue and some cases cause depressive episodes. It is somewhat similar to other genetic connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers–Danlos syndromes. There is a strong association between HSD and neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.[4]