Assessment of lower limbs in people with Generalized Joint Hypermobility (GJH) - preliminary report

Introduction
Generalized Joint Hypermobility (GJH) is defined as an increased range of motion in joints. There is no causal treatment of GJH, therefore the therapy should be based on the individual needs of patients after the comprehensive diagnostic of body posture. The occurrence of deformities of lower limbs in people with GJH should be an indication for the therapy. The aim of this study was the assessment of the impact of Generalized Joint Hypermobility on the lower limbs position.

Material and methods
The research was conducted on 30 children, aged 7-13 (10.1±1.7), 51 adults aged 20-29 (23.2±1.6). The study included the assessment of external and internal rotation of hips, tibial torsion, axis of lower limbs, longitudinal and transverse arch of the feet. Females with ≥5 and males with ≥4 scores in the Beighton test were included in the GJH groups.

Results
Both children and adults with GJH presents higher internal rotation of hips in comparison to the control group (p=0.03 for right and p=0.00 for left side, and p=0.00 for right and p=0.00 for left side, for children and adults, respectively). Children with GJH obtained higher values of the Clarke angle for the right foot compared to the control group (p=0.00).

Conclusions
Regardless of age, subjects with Generalized Joint Hypermobility are characterized by higher internal rotation of the hip compared to healthy controls. Children with GJH present a higher longitudinal arch of the feet compared to peers, but the results fall within the normative ranges.