Children with symptomatic hypermobility may have 1 or more of the following:
Clicking joints: Research has shown that cracking joints does not cause arthritis.
Tiredness after walking long distances: If your child struggles with this, pacing and building up their fitness may help. Pacing advice leaflet.
Flat feet: Flat feet can be normal up until the age of seven. This leaflet has more information APCP Flat feet leaflet. If your child has flat feet and is struggling with running and jumping or has pain in their legs talk to your doctor about a referral to Podiatry.
More stumbles / falls: Children with hypermobility can have reduced balance and awareness of where their body is. Try some balance and body awareness activities to help with this Link to mini movers.
Not wanting to take part in physical activity: Keeping active and strong is important and will help reduce joint pain as your child’s fitness and balance improve over time. Find activities that your child enjoys doing.
Pain: Pain is often because muscles are tired as they have to work very hard when you are bendy. Using pacing to help you stay active and strong is important. Pacing advice leaflet.
Difficulty with fine motor tasks such as handwriting, using a knife and fork, getting dressed: It is important to keep your child’s hands strong, this leaflet has some ideas you can try these strengthening activities. Have a look at the Handwriting and ADL pages on this website for other helpful ideas.
Gastrointestinal involvement: This might include tummy pain, constipation or reflux. Talk to your doctor if your child has these symptoms.
Dysautonomia: This can include POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). Symptoms include feeling dizzy and heart palpitations when standing up. Talk to your doctor if your child has these symptoms.
If you think that your child might have a Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder please talk to your doctor as Children’s Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists do not diagnose this condition.
Children’s Therapy (Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy)