You might think having double-jointed elbows is just a quirky trait. But if your elbows bend further than they should, it could be a sign of something more serious.
Hypermobility can feel like a cool party trick, but it often comes with pain, instability, and even injuries. Many people with overly flexible joints don’t realize they might have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) or generalized hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD).
EDS affects the connective tissues that support your joints, skin, and organs. When your body doesn’t produce strong collagen, your joints become too loose. This can lead to:
- Frequent joint pain or dislocations
- Unstable movement that causes injuries
- Chronic fatigue from overworked muscles trying to compensate
- Digestive or cardiovascular issues in more severe cases
If your elbows hyperextend, it’s worth paying attention to other symptoms. Ignoring the signs can lead to long-term joint damage and chronic pain. Understanding the connection between hypermobility and EDS can help you take control of your health before symptoms worsen.
What Syndromes Involve Double-Jointed Elbows?
Double-jointed elbows may seem harmless, but they can be a sign of underlying syndromes that affect your connective tissue and joint stability. If your elbows hyperextend beyond a normal range, you may have a condition that impacts how your joints, muscles, and ligaments function. These syndromes can lead to joint pain, chronic injuries, and joint instability over time.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a genetic disorder that affects collagen structure, making connective tissue weaker than normal. If you have hypermobile elbows, your ligaments may not provide enough support to keep your elbow joint stable.
Symptoms of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) include:
- Loose joints that extend beyond their normal position
- Frequent joint pain and partial dislocations
- Stretchy skin and slow wound healing
- Muscle weakness and chronic pain from overuse injuries
hEDS doesn’t just affect your elbow joint—it impacts your entire body, including your nervous system, digestive system, and cardiovascular health.
Seeing a physical therapist early can help improve joint stability and reduce strain on weak connective tissues.
Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS)
Joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) is another condition where very flexible joints lead to persistent pain and overuse injuries. Unlike hEDS, JHS mainly affects the joints and doesn’t always include other symptoms like stretchy skin.
People with JHS often experience:
- Frequent elbow hyperextension and joint laxity
- Repetitive strain injuries in the forearm flexors and triceps brachii
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) or golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
- Muscle fatigue and joint instability from weak connective tissue
Physical therapy and low-impact exercises can help strengthen joints, improve joint and muscle strength, and reduce pain caused by instability.
If double-jointed elbows, chronic pain, or joint instability make daily life harder, RecoverRX Physical Therapy can help. Our team provides expert care to strengthen joints, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.
Schedule an appointment today! Visit our contact page or call (331) 253-2426 to get started.
Marfan Syndrome
Marfan syndrome is a connective tissue disorder that can cause joint hypermobility along with serious heart and eye problems. People with Marfan syndrome often have long limbs, very flexible joints, and ligament laxity, making double-jointed elbows occur more frequently.
Signs of Marfan syndrome include:
- Hypermobile joints, especially in the elbow joint, knees, and fingers
- Loose ligaments that lead to joint instability
- Overuse injuries and chronic pain in weight-bearing joints
- Increased risk of heart complications due to weak connective tissue
Because Marfan syndrome affects multiple systems, working with a healthcare provider is essential to maintain joint health and prevent serious complications. Your physical therapist can also help you strengthen joints and surrounding muscle systems for better stability.
Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD)
Hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) is a term for conditions that involve joint hypermobility but don’t fit the criteria for hEDS or JHS. If you have double-jointed elbows but no genetic disorder like EDS or Marfan, you might have HSD.
Common symptoms of HSD include:
- Frequent joint pain and joint instability
- Elbow hyperextension that causes strain on surrounding ligaments
- Repetitive overuse injuries like tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow
- Muscle weakness that makes it hard to maintain joint stability
Strengthening forearm muscles like the biceps brachii and triceps brachii can help stabilize the hinge joint of the elbow. Physical therapy can also improve your range of motion while protecting joint health.
How to Protect Your Double-Jointed Elbows
If you experience persistent pain or partial dislocations, don’t ignore it. Taking steps to reduce strain on your elbow joint can prevent severe pain and long-term damage.
Some ways to improve joint flexibility and strength include:
- Low-impact exercises to strengthen muscle groups supporting the elbow
- Bracing or taping techniques to keep the joint in a normal position
- Stretching routines to avoid ligament laxity and maintain balance
- Working with a physical therapist to target joint instability
Ignoring double-jointed elbows can lead to chronic pain and joint damage. If you suspect an underlying condition, talk to a physical therapist to get the right diagnosis and treatment plan.
RecoverRX Physical Therapy Specializes in Treating Ehlers-Danlos and Hypermobility
Personalized Care for Joint Stability and Pain Management
At RecoverRX Physical Therapy, we understand how Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) affect your body. Loose ligaments and weak connective tissue can cause joint instability, chronic pain, and frequent dislocations. Without the right approach, everyday movements can become painful and frustrating.
Our team focuses on strengthening your muscles, improving joint stability, and reducing pain. Through a personalized treatment plan, you can regain confidence in your body’s movement and prevent long-term joint damage.
Hands-On Therapy to Reduce Pain and Improve Function
Manual therapy helps relieve muscle tension, nerve sensitivity, and joint pain. If your elbow joint, knees, or shoulders feel unstable, targeted techniques can help realign and support your movement.
We use:
- Soft tissue massage to improve circulation and reduce stiffness
- Dry needling to release muscle knots and relieve nerve pain
- Cupping therapy to promote healing and reduce inflammation
- Joint mobilization to improve flexibility and restore function
Each session targets specific problem areas to make movement easier and less painful.
Strength Training for Long-Term Stability
Weak muscles force your body to rely on loose ligaments for support, increasing your risk of dislocations and overuse injuries. We focus on building joint and muscle strength through progressive resistance exercises tailored to your needs.
Our strength training program includes:
- Core stability exercises to support spinal alignment and balance
- Upper body strengthening for biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and forearm flexors
- Lower body stability drills to prevent knee and hip instability
- Functional training to help with running, jumping, and daily activities
Strengthening these muscles helps your joints stay in a normal position and reduces strain on surrounding ligaments.
Movement Training to Improve Joint Control
If you have double-jointed elbows, knees, or shoulders, your body may struggle with joint positioning and movement control. We use neuromuscular retraining to teach your nervous system how to move efficiently and protect your joints.
Key focus areas include:
- Proprioception exercises to improve body awareness and control
- Stability drills to prevent partial dislocations and repetitive strain injuries
- Low-impact exercises to build endurance without stressing weak connective tissue
By retraining movement patterns, you can reduce pain and improve joint health long-term.
Get the Right Care for Your Hypermobility
If double-jointed elbows, chronic pain, or joint instability make daily life harder, RecoverRX Physical Therapy can help. Our team provides expert care to strengthen joints, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.
Schedule an appointment today! Visit our contact page or call (331) 253-2426 to get started.
