At first hyperflexibility (aka being double-jointed) may sound like a good thing. Or if you're a man, apparently it sounds like a sexual thing, because they all get the same look in their eyes if I happen to mention being hyperflexible. (Seriously, guys, not everything is about sex!)
But as I keep finding out, hyperflexibility is bad. Very bad. A few years back, a rheumatologist was looking into my chronic joint pain and decided that my joints simply get sore and inflamed because they bend way too much. Now it turns out my feet are also hyperflexible and it's causing a slew of problems.
That's right, I had my first physical therapy appointment yesterday to start dealing with the stress fractures in my feet. And yes, that's feet, plural, my right foot hurts much more but both have the same problems.
As soon as my physical therapist watched me walk, she asked, "Are you very flexible?" Uh oh. I'd heard this before... Then, while examining my feet, she kept twisting and turning them and commenting on how far they bent in every direction. (We had a few laughs over my near-circus-freak bendability-- she's super nice!)
It may be odd - considering that I already knew I'm hyperflexible in pretty much all of my other joints - but I'd never considered that the joints in my feet could be hyperflexible. I don't really think about my feet at all because they're just.... well, feet.
The solution is to relearn how to walk, because my feet have been doing it wrong for 30-some years. In a nutshell, the joints in my feet are so flexible that the muscles are working overtime to keep them stable. The wrong foot muscles have overdeveloped in an effort to compensate, leaving the muscles that should be doing the job to slack off.
As a result of all this, the weight isn't distributed properly in my feet, they don't step properly, and my entire gait is a mess. My hyperflexible knees and hips might be contributing as well, so they are going to get some attention too.
It looks like I'll be in PT for at least six weeks, possibly with some maintenance appointments after that. In the meantime, no weight bearing exercise and stay off my feet as much as possible so the stress fractures can heal.
I did find out that I can use a stationary bike for cardio though, so hopefully I won't turn into an entire puddle of goo while I'm recuperating!
Key West – Day 3
3 hours ago
4 comments:
I TOO HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD IM HYPERFLEXIBLE, ALL THE FAMILY USED TO HAVE A GOOD LAUGH WHEN I WAS YOUNG ABOUT HOW I USED TO SIT WITH LEGS SPLAYED. NOW IM A COP, MARRIED WITH 2 KIDS AND THINGS ARE NOT QUITE SO FUNNY FOR ME. AFTER HAVING SECOND DAUGHTER 3 YEARS AGO IVE BEEN IN NEARLY CONSTANT PAIN WITH MY BACK. 8 PHYSIOS, ONE CHIROPRACTER, AN MRI SCAN AND A STAY IN A REHAB FACILITY, FINALLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM OF HYPERFLEXIBILITY. ALTHOUGH BY THIS TIME IM ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY KNEE AND FEET TOO. IVE BEEN TOLD PILATES AND SWIMMING ARE THE MAIN EXERCISES TO TO BUT VERY HARD TO DO WHEN YOU ARE SOOOOO SORE YOU CANT GET YOUR PANTS ON IN THE MORNING!! ALL I CAN DO IS PERSEVERE WITH THE EXERCISE PROGRAM AND SEE HOW IT GOES BUT THINK THE DAYS OF ME BEING BACK ON THE BEAT COULD BE LONG GONE.
Allison, sorry to hear you're having such a hard time. I was also recommended swimming and pilates. I'm not interested in swimming, but I've really gotten into the pilates and it, combined with the PT exercises, has helped me a lot.
From what I've learned, it's a matter of building up the correct muscles to support the joints. I also get morning soreness/stiffness through my legs, back, etc. and I've been told that is probably something called dural tension. Basically, my nerves aren't as flexible as my joints and muscles and they tighten up overnight. I now do simple "nerve glide" stretches in the morning and it feels much better. Nerves can be aggravated by static stretches, so learning to do nerve glides let them gently stretch out. But you have to be careful not to overstretch with the glides or it makes it worse!
I can't say that any of my experiences would help you. But maybe it will give you some ideas of questions to ask your doc. Hang in there with your PT and I hope it gets better!
Dear Susan,
I have recently been told that I am also hyperflexible, although so far I have not had any issues with my feet. My problems have centered on my knee, back and shoulder (all the right side funnily enough). I have also found out that my knee responds quite strongly when my glutes are being worked on (apparently they are connected ?). I have also been told to go do strengthening exercises for my joints and to take vitamins for them (this is after seeing 5 different doctors and still being in pain on a very regular basis). I was intrigued by your mention of "nerve glide" exercises. Could you tell me how to do these ? I am pretty much willing to try anything at this point as even the strongest anti-inflammatories and numerous stretches have not helped much.
Hello,
I've been hyperflexible my entire life, but it wasn't until I started learning about connective tissue diseases that I realized hyperflexibility could be a bad thing. I haven't seen my own doctor yet. I am a little concerned that I had such HUGE deep stretch marks from my pregnancy with my son.
One question and one suggestion:
Were you worried about connective tissue diseases? Many can cause aortic dissection!
My suggestion for knee and hip pain: boots with heels. I know it sounds crazy, but when I was pregnant my hyperflexibilty was out of control. High heeled boots were the only shoes I could tolerate. They are less flexible than normal shoes, so your foot is forced to walk correctly, and the angle of the heel force your gait to be straighter.
Thanks,
Melissa
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