Hypermobility of joints

[enthusiatjc]

Does anybody else with RA have hypermobility of their joints? I feel like a freak because I can bend my fingers in ways that apparently others cannot. I thought it was normal until my doc recently told me that not everybody can bend their fingers outwards the way I can. I have attached a pic from the internet which explains what I mean

[Eiram50]

Please see new post- mine go the same only my fingers are so damaged, I'm unable to make a fist!!

[enthusiatjc in reply to Eiram50]

Sorry to hear that you can't make a fist I can't make a fist when I have a flare up. They are okay these days because I am in remission.

My fingers are all weird shaped and I am so embarrassed by them that I don't let anyone ever get a good look at them. I have been wearing finger splints to stop them from deforming more, but some of the damage is already done.

I saw your post. That is exactly how my thumb bends, even a couple of other fingers!

[Eiram50 in reply to enthusiatjc]

It's a bit of a nightmare, isn't it? My daughter currently refers to my fingers as nik naks ( weird shaped crisps!

On a serious note, I get what you're saying. I no longer wear false nails/ rings, anything that draws the eye to my hands.

This disease can rob you in ways you don't necessarily expect 👎

[enthusiatjc in reply to Eiram50]

Absolutely. Nobody prepares us for these unexpected sacrifices we have to make.

[Matalow]

Marie the only good thing is with you not being able to make a fist is that your hubby-wont get any black eyes.

Sorry for that I didn't know your hands were so bad ,I'm very lucky I just have stiff and sometimes swollen hands.

Regards Mike

[Eiram50 in reply to Matalow]

Hi mike

I can still pack a punch with an open hand!

Actually, even if I could, I wouldn't as abhor any kind of violence!!

As for the hubby- long gone and no punches or black eyes involved 👋👋

[Hidden]

Are you saying your thumb could always do that or that it is a result of RA? I have some degree of hyper mobility and it seems a lot of people with PsA do, not sure if it's the same for RA. For me the 'natural' hyper mobility in my thumb - I couldn't bend it like that but always could touch my wrist with it - was one of the first things to go when PsA hit hard. But I still have some hyper mobility of the spine.

I think there could be a connection though it's likely to be complex. For example, while hyper mobility is great for party pieces like limbo dancing when we're young, I believe it can make us susceptible to OA as we age. And OA - or any other damage - can perhaps trigger RA or PsA. Then again, any damaged joints, even if the damage is slight, can be a magnet for inflammation from inflammatory arthritis.

[enthusiatjc]

To be honest, I don't remember if I could always do that. I have had RA since I was 13 or 14 years old, and can't remember much about how my hands were before it all happened. From what I have read about it, hypermobility is possibly there from the beginning but makes you prone to different kinds of arthritis. I am not sure about the accuracy of that. I used to bend my index fingers in an odd way as well, and with time, it started bending that way involuntarily because the tendons on the finger were overstretched. I wear splints now to stop them from involuntarily bending oddly.

[Hidden]

Have you been tested for EDS? This sounds more like a Connective Tissue Disorder. Do you have other joints that you can hyperflex? Sorry I have a cousin who has EDS and now that she is older, it is horrible for her. I want to make sure everyone knows what it is.

[enthusiatjc in reply to Hidden]

I have not been tested for EDS, but none of my doctors have suspected it. It's mainly just my finger joints that hyperflex, nothing else. I have read about EDS though. I don't have any skin issues. I do bruise easily, but I was told that was because I had iron deficiency anemia. Some features are common between RA and EDS, but because nobody has mentioned it to me, I'm guessing I don't fit the profile for EDS, just RA. Sorry about your cousin. I hope things improve for her.

[Hidden in reply to enthusiatjc]

So glad to hear it. It is a horrible, terrible disease. Hang in there.

[lovemydoggy]

I can't see the pic, but I was told I have hypermobility as well.

[Nessa28]

I have awful hyper mobility of my back,thumbs , big toes even my ankles and elbows hyper flex . As a kid I used all of it as a party trick . Now I would give my back teeth for my toes to stay put and the pain might be manageable . I think AS sufferers and Psa and Ra tend to have this 😞

[Hidden]

Yes it has often been mentioned my joints are hypermobile when examined.

[Ssmart]

My daughter has a connective tissue disorder has had lots of genetic tests as has heart problems (leaky valves etc) and is hyper-mobile elbows look like they pop out the other side when she just straightens her arm etc they ruled out marfans and think it’s ehlers danlos type 3.

I can bend my thumb to touch my wrist (when it isn’t playing up😄) and I used to be able to do all sorts of positions like putting my foot flat against my side and touch hands flat to

The floor without bending knees etc etc most of these I dare not try to see if I can still do them or not for fear of triggering pain! But yes I have RA and am extremely flexible and one of my two sons is also

The same. I’m just hoping none of them get RA x