Joint Hypermobility Syndrome: More Than Just Flexible Joints

3. Causes

Joint hypermobility syndrome can stem from one or more specific issues:

• Atypical shape of the bones that form the joints
• Issues with collagen or other connective tissues, also causing weak ligaments, muscles, bones, and tendons
• Atypical joint proprioception — an inability to mentally judge where the joints are in space — that causes joint injuries
• Lower than typical muscle mass or strength

Because the condition can present in so many ways, researchers have had difficulty identifying specific factors or genes that lead to joint hypermobility syndrome.