Being able to bend your arms and legs in abnormal positions might not be that serious. But, it could be a red flag for a health condition.
Hypermobility is believed to be a widespread condition, with up to one in five Brits having hypermobile joints, . It's often found in younger people and is more common in women.
One doctor took to TikTok to explain why you should book an appointment with your GP if you can easily perform at least four painful-looking moves. Dr Ahmed () showed a range of quick tests for your hands, arms, and legs that you can use to check yourself at home before considering further help.
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"Are you extremely flexible? Have hypermobile joints? It could be Ehlers Danlos syndrome," he said at the start of the video. The GP, based in the UK, advised anyone doing this to test both hands, knees, and elbows when working through the motions.
You'll pick up points for each side where you're able to do the action. He said: "If you score more than four [points], that means you're hypermobile and [should] go and see your doctor."
What is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?, Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) is best identified by those with . Other subtle signs include having fairly stretchy skin or easily bruising.
You may live for decades and have no idea you have this condition due to the mild effects it has on your body. But, for some, it can be debilitating and even life-threatening.
The GP may refer you to a joint specialist (rheumatologist) if you have problems with your joints and they suspect EDS. A genetics specialist will ask about your medical history, family history, assess your symptoms and may carry out a blood test to confirm the diagnosis.
The condition is genetic, meaning it can be passed down from parent to child. The explained that you need "just one copy of a genetic variant" to inherit it.
Their website continued: "If a person has a condition with a dominant inheritance pattern, each of their children will have a 50% chance of inheriting the condition. A recessive inheritance pattern means that a person must inherit two copies of the genetic variant (one from each parent) in order to have the condition."
The . It has resources about diagnosis, living with EDS, and other health conditions that could be linked to the syndrome.
