Flexibility may be an asset for activities like gymnastics, cheerleading and yoga. However, if that flexibility is a result of being double-jointed, it can cause medical problems.
Hypermobility syndrome (HMS) is a condition that usually afflicts females. Chelsea Smith is an example where this condition was debilitating:
“… “It was like an elephant was sitting on my back,” she said. “And it felt like hot pokers were prying my hip away from my leg.”
Debra Smith said it was horrifying to watch her daughter go from an outgoing, active honor student one day to a screaming, near-invalid the next.”
link: Double joints cause woman pain
This is a condition that sometimes goes undiagnosed, and can have sudden onset, such as during pregnancy. There is a website that focuses on HMS. The purpose of the site is “to provide support and information to those affected by the syndrome and to promote knowledge and understanding within the medical community and the public at large“. HMS may provide an answer undiagnosed / misdiagnosed pain.
Catherine Forsythe
