10 HMS Facts

10 Quick HMS Facts

1. Hypermobility Syndrome is a genetic collagen defect most people don’t even know they have, that weakens connective tissue around joints
2. HMS is a common cause of unexplained joint pain, but is diagnosed in less than 10% of sufferers who see their primary care physicians
3. HMS is up to 5.5 times more likely to occur in women than in men, and is also more common in people of Asian, African, and Middle Eastern decent
4. HMS symptoms can manifest at any age, from age 3 to 70, and its onset usually does not coincide with any direct accident or trauma
5. HMS symptoms can last anywhere from 15 days to 45 years
6. HMS can predispose sufferers, especially women, to fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis
7. HMS can cause serious pregnancy complications, including premature birth, rapid labor, and uterine prolapse
8. People with HMS have diminished proprioception, or sense of their bodies in space, which increases the likelihood of joint injury
9. HMS patients do not experience the full anaesthetic affect of lignocaine, a drug used in dental work, minor surgery, and epidurals
10. There is currently no consensus as to how HMS should be diagnosed, and no proven treatment plan