Where all my bendy people at?

[hose1975]

Who else is hypermobile (either through EDS or BJHS)? What problems do you have on a regular basis (either through running or not)? What help can we offer to newbie hypermobile runners?

In short: Where all my bendy people at?

[Markee Graduate]

Two of my children are hypermobile, apparently. But I don't really know anything about it. What is eds and bjhs?

[hose1975 Graduate in reply to Markee]

EDS is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. There are several variations but the exceptionally bendy and stretchy kind of EDS is the hypermobile type (people with this condition often suffer dislocations). Less serious (although not without problems of its own) is BJHS, or Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome. This is what I have. I frequently go over on my ankles and suffer minor sprains but they get better very quickly as my ligaments are so lax that there isn't the opportunity to do much further damage! Ironically, I have more problems walking than running.

[Markee Graduate in reply to hose1975]

There is obviously a lot more to hypermobility than I realised. Thought it was a case of being able to flex joints way beyond normal - double jointed, they used to say.

My daughter has been diagnosed as hypermobile, but I don't know which, sounds more like bjhs.

My own knees are a bit odd, they seem to bend backwards when viewed from the side.

[hose1975 Graduate in reply to Markee]

Yup, knees 'locking out' backwards is classic in hypermobility. Google the Beighton Scale and see how many out of nine you score!

[Markee Graduate in reply to hose1975]

Luckily its just the knees. I've had no problems with them at all whilst running.

It seems as if running is not causing you any real problems, fortunately.

[hose1975 Graduate in reply to Markee]

I've read that people with joint problems might benefit from landing on the fore or mid foot when running. Certainly it hasn't aggravated my knees or ankles!

[TaoRouTing Graduate]

I have some hypermobile joints (ankles, back, knees, elbows, shoulders!) I completed the Couch to 5K a while ago, but it took me ages due to repeated small 'tweaks' to my ankles that mean short lay--offs between injuries. I love running outside, but uneven paving (London zone 2) meant lots of stumbles or trips that didn't help. I'm sure running on grass would have helped, but there's nowhere safe and well lit to run after work locally. I've had to cut down on the running, working out on non-running gym equipment, with only the occasional run. Ankle supports helped, as did well fitting running shoes, but in my case I am having to accept that I can't base my main exercise around running outside because of my ankles.