Treatment of Joint hypermobility

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Exercises, stretching and physiotherapy:

Exercises should help your joints, as you need to build up muscle strength and control to support the joints. Your physiotherapist will demonstrate gentle exercises to you, which can be done at home. These exercises should be done frequently, but not over done. Whatever your natural range of joint flexibility, if you do not use it, the joint will degenerate.

Muscle relaxation:

This should be done daily. Your physiotherapist will demonstrate gentle exercises to you, which can be done at home.

Painkillers:

Analgesics (painkillers) such as paracetamol can be used to ease pain. Stronger painkillers such as codydramol are available on prescription.

Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) e.g. ibuprofen:

These can be used to relive the swelling of the joint.

Sprays and creams:

Painkillers and anti-inflammatories can be sprayed or rubbed onto the joint.Dealing with injury: If you have an injury from overstretching, then rest the joint by elevating it and putting on an ice pack.

Steroid injections:

These can reduce swelling and pain. Steroid injections should be used with care as they have side effects, can cause scarring and increase the risk of tendon rupture. It is often recommended that no more than three injections per year be given into weight-bearing joints (1).

Local heat:

The application of local heat (hot water bottles, baths, heat rub creams, heat lamps, ice gels) maybe soothing.

Keep moving and keep fit:

Although you should not over do it, you should not stay still for too long. It is essential that full movement through the joint range be maintained. Keeping fit will ensure good blood flow around the body and keep the joints healthy.

Splints/support and bandages:

Splints and supports can provide relief for elbows and knees. Elastic bandages can be used to avoid dislocation.

Occupational therapy:

This may help you adapt your home and way of life to take into consideration your hypermobile joints.

Drink plenty of water:

Water is vital for healthy tissues and good hydration of body tissues is an essential for protection, repair and maintenance.

Surgery:

This is not recommended, as the joint tissue does not heal very well, and it can lead to osteoarthritis (arthritis that affects the cartilage within the joint). The exception is a ruptured tendon, which should be repaired surgically. All surgery carries some risk, and with hypermobile patients, particularly if there is a problem with the collagen, there is an increased risk of bruising, bleeding, infection and poor wound healing. Surgery to the spine may relieves local symptoms but cause strain elsewhere and make the problem worse.

Other:

Other forms of treatment may include yoga or pilates, homeopathic and herbal remedies, hydrotherapy and acupuncture.