Cut loose: Kinga Vereczkey-Porter focuses on joint hypermobility syndrome

People who don’t know a thing or two about joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) may likely display prejudice and put labels on those ‘loose joints.’ But rheumatologists like Dr. Kinga Vereczkey-Porter would say that JHS is a serious condition that requires attention, understanding, and respect.

Kinga Vereczkey-Porter | Image Credit: vibrationtraining.net

JHS is a multi-system connective tissue disorder condition involving an abnormality in collagen, a type of protein found throughout the body that helps connect tissues together. Collagen defect results in tissue laxity, leading to increased flexibility or uncommon large range of movement of the joints. Patients with JHS can bend into bizarre positions and perform contortionist tricks, such as bending their thumbs backwards, reaching their wrists, and reaching the back of their head with their legs. Though some of the tricks are considered an asset, physicians warn that benign hypermobility syndrome can lead to overuse injury, joint pain, sprains and dislocations, and osteoarthritis.

Kinga Vereczkey-Porter | Image Credit: static.ddmcn.com

Rheumatologists, including Dr. Kinga Vereczkey-Porter, would say that JHS is usually hereditary and can appear as a symptom of serious conditions, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, and Marfan syndrome, thereby early diagnosis and treatment are advised. JHS is normally managed through exercise and physiotherapy, which is a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to treating physical problems involving the body’s systems such as the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory system.

Kinga Vereczkey-Porter | Image Credit: drhasson.co.uk

Dr. Kinga Vereczkey is a rheumatology expert and the director at Sanford Specialty Clinics. To learn more about her and her specialty, visit this Twitter page.