• hypermobility may be generalised or extreme at a small number of joints. It may be associated with involvement of other organs because of the abnormal inherited collagen structure elsewhere
• the majority will have benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS)
• a small number of patients will have Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, Marfan's syndrome or osteogenesis imperfecta. Each condition has characteristic features that distinguish it from BJHS, though there is considerable genetic overlap between these various conditions
• management of hypermobility for all these conditions is mainly symptomatic, requiring a multidisciplinary team including physiotherapists, occupational therapists and podiatrists
• the Beighton score is used to assess joint hypermobility

Notes:

• hyperlaxity that is entirely the result of impaired collagen is likely to be aggravated by growth spurts and hormonal changes as in menarche and pregnancy and at the menopause. Severe localised laxity at a single joint, perhaps a mild osteochondrodystrophy, is more likely to be associated with premature osteoarthritis, which may also be caused by impaired proprioception

Reference:

1. ARC (February 2005). Topical Reviews - Heritable Collagen Disorders.