Examination and Treatment of a Patient With Hypermobility Syndrome

Background and Purpose. The purpose of this case report is to present the examination, evaluation/diagnosis/prognosis, intervention, and outcome of a patient with hypermobility syndrome (HMS). Hypermobility syndrome has been widely recognized in the rheumatology literature, but it has seldom been discussed in the orthopedic literature and has only recently been described in the physical therapy literature. The signs and symptoms of HMS are common among patients seen in orthopedic physical therapy clinics; however, the HMS may be overlooked while treating individual joints or tissues causing pain. Case Description. The patient was a 28-year-old woman with complaints of chronic, multiple-joint pain. After years without a diagnosis, a rheumatologist had recently diagnosed her as having HMS. Outcomes. Following intervention that emphasized patient education and activity modification, the patient's complaints decreased. Discussion. Recognition of HMS underlying common orthopedic problems may facilitate appropriate patient education and management.