Hypomobility Syndrome

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Hi all,

Has anyone come across hypomobility syndrome? I can only find the following article.

(BENIGN JOINT HYPOMOBILITY SYNDROME: A NEW CLINICAL ENTITY, POSSIBLY CAUSED BY A PROBLEM IN THE COLLAGEN SYNTHESIS. Van Tintelen JP, Pruijs JEH, Helders PJM, TeKoppele JM, Bank RA. Physical Therapy. May 2001)

I have a young patient with stiffness throughout the posterior structures (e.g. a 4cm lunge test) whom i'm starting with stretching exercises, but i'm not convinced will be successful. Does anyone know anything about this syndrome or know of the effectiveness of stretching? Or alternatively any therapies that may work?

Thanking you in anticipation,

Laura

 

Hi Laura,

i read something somewhere that people with a family Hx of CMT can display hypomobility. cant remember where though, if i find it again i will post it (if you find anything on it feel free to post it).

cheers
Kurt

 

Hey Laura

New one on me. Could just be on the hypo end of the bell curve I guess. I presume the kid has been through the paeds team to rule out any of the known syndromes which might cause limited ranges...

If its a global situation I think you would be well advised (if you have not already done so) to involve the community physio team. They may also have some ideas for diagnosis. They are also best placed to organise physiotherapy in school (like the BEAM program).

This sounds like a multidisciplinery team case to me.

Good to see you posting by the way!

Cheers
Robert

 

Hi Laura,

My wife has been diagnosed as suffering from Hypomobilty Syndrome so I have a fair idea as to how this affects a person. In youngsters it can be an advantage, they can be excellent gymnasts/ ice dancers. Jane Torville of Bollero fame is a patron of the Hypomobility Society as she has the condition. There are a variety of test for the syndrome, and a little known fact that Lignocaine seems not to work very well on these patients. I could go on all day about my wifes experiences, but then others would be bored. Google DLT look for a familiar word and give me a call.

Regards Ian

 

How can hypomobility syndrome make someone a good gymnast? I would have thought the opposite.

 

Can't say I have ... but I assume that generic ranges of motions of the joints is a bell shaped curve. Based on that there will be people at both ends of that normal that are greater than 2-3 standard deviations from the population mean. I woyld not necessarily considered that pathological. Then there are those who are at the +/- 2-3 standard deviations that have an abnormal collagen issues --> that makes them in the pathological group of hypo- or hyper-mobility.

To me that means that in those with a generic tight oint sturcture, that they are just a couple standard deviations below the population mean. They are there for one of two reasons:
1. The just a normal variation about the mean
2. They have Hypomobility Syndrome (ie the collegen problem).

I assume that they both are different ....

Not sure its possible to strectch a collagen disorder. Even if you can not, range of motions exercises would be extremely important to prevent contractures.

 

oops must see the optician I read as hypermobility

 

Hi all,
Many thanks for the posts.
The individual has been through the rheumatology and physio departments who have now discharged her and sent her to me.
Other than the stretches I haven't really been able to do anything functional as it's the ligaments that are altering the gait pattern.
Another case for wait and see what happens i guess.
Thanks again

 

Are you also undertaking regular foot mobilisation treatments?

 

hi laura, i'm very familiar with hypomobility it is is genetic my father has it, it can cause fatigue and restriction of movement in the joints.

 

Is it strictly speaking joint hypomobility, you speak of tight posterior structures, which I assume means muscles like GSC and Hamstring/knee flexor /hip extensor complex. Laura, as you know, children grown they get tight muscles from time to time when the long bone growth outstrips the muscle ability grow and adapt . The picture of tight posterior muscle groups and restricted joint RoM is typical presentation of this. Have you considered this possibility.

What is the sequelae to this tightness, why are you concrened about it and why do you want to treat it, is it the short muscles restricting joint RoM or is it some variation in the joint structure, does the joint/ muscle stiffness have any pathological consequences, do you suspect that they may in the future perhaps based on familial history????

Mobilisation, heel lifts and stretching exercises to stop relative shortening are common interventions.

Regards Dave Smith