In this article, we are going to explore hypermobility. We have already written an article about joint hypermobility which explains the condition as a whole, but in this article, we are going to focus our attention on foot hypermobility.
Foot hypermobility is very much the same as joint hypermobility, it is where the muscles and tendons holding your joints together are more flexible and as a result, your joints can extend to positions that other people’s can’t. Hypermobility is not actually a medical condition in itself, however, it can produce medical conditions and give people complications within the areas of the body that they have hypermobility. Basically, people with hypermobility are more likely to get aches and pains when they are doing daily tasks because their muscles are working harder than normal.
If you have foot hypermobility then on top of all the added aches and pains, you are also more likely to sprain or strain your ankle. As your muscles and tendons are more flexible, this means they are more likely to extend a little too far causing pain and bruising. People with foot hypermobility are also more likely to have flat feet than others, this in itself can also lead to foot pain, especially after standing for long periods of time.
You may also suffer from other conditions around the body as a result of foot hypermobility. Because the way you stand can affect areas of the body, if you have a lot of issues with your feet, this can affect your back, neck, knees and other areas of your body.
What are the causes of foot hypermobility?
Foot hypermobility is often said to be a result of your lineage, it runs in the family. It is said to be a genetic change to a protein in your body called collagen. Collagen is found throughout our bodies and in someone with foot hypermobility, it is weaker than it should be. This weakness means that the tissues in your body are weaker than they should be. Weak collagen makes joints and ligaments stretchy and loose, resulting in you being able to move them in ways others can’t.
What are the treatments for foot hypermobility?
In most cases of foot hypermobility, the person doesn’t really have any problems. In fact, it can actually be beneficial to some people. People like dancers and gymnasts can actually use it to their advantage. It is only normally when the condition starts to produce more and more unpleasant symptoms, like ankle sprains, that someone with the condition wants something done about it.
A lot of the treatments for foot hypermobility and joint hypermobility can be done by yourself. Things like staying active, eating a healthy diet, wearing comfortable and supportive shoes, all of these can go a long way to helping you avoid the unpleasant symptoms of the condition. If you do get a sprain or strain then applying ice to the area, resting it as much as possible in an elevated position and using an ankle support, can help speed up recovery time.
You can also speak with your local GP or see a local specialist to find out more about how to avoid an injury. We hope that this article has helped you understand foot hypermobility a little better. Do make sure to read the joint hypermobility article before you leave.