JOINT HYPERMOBILITY SYNDROME Cape Town

JOINT HYPERMOBILITY SYNDROME; Pamela Versfeld; Cape Town; 13-14 Feb 2010 - R1600

Joint hypermobility is now recognised as a “not so benign condition”. The decreased compliance alters the forces acting on the body and this affects the development of efficient movement patterns. The increased compliance in the connective tissue not only affects the joints, but also the muscles and associated fascial systems, the blood vessels, bowel and bladder. It also affects the sensitivity of the proprioceptors to stretch. Paradoxically children with joint hypermobility often have decreased extensibility in two joint muscles which can have a major impact on posture and movement performance.

Many children who are referred for therapy because of “low muscle tone” have hypermobile joints and associated muscle weakness. Recognising that the child’s difficulties with posture and movement are related to altered patterns of flexibility and muscle strength rather than low muscle tone is important in designing effective intervention programmes that lead to measurable outcomes in reasonable time frames.

Children with joint hypermobility also often have a cautious temperament which impacts on the child’s willingness to engage in tasks that require physical effort. This impacts on their development of movement skills and this aspect of the child’s engagement of movement based tasks needs to specifically addressed in intervention programmes.

Learning outcomes for the workshop

At the end of this workshop participants will be able to:

1. Provide an overview of the literature on joint hypermobility syndrome in children;
2. Analyse the impact of increased connective tissue compliance on the development and performance of movement skills in young children;
3. Assess flexibility of two joint muscles and associated fascial structures of the lower limb;
4. Assess flexibility and patterns of muscle imbalance of the shoulder complex;
5. Discuss the principles of an intervention based on available research evidence;
6. Apply myofascial release techniques for improving range of motion of tight fascial structures;
7. Design intervention programmes based on the best available evidence to improve muscle strength, flexibility, endurance, agility and coordination in young children with joint hypermobility syndrome.

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