Ligamentous laxity

Ligamentous laxity is a term given to describe "loose ligaments."

In a 'normal' body, ligaments (which are the tissues that connect bones to each other) are naturally tight in such a way that the joints are restricted to 'normal' ranges of motion. This creates normal joint stability. If muscular control does not compensate for ligamentous laxity, joint instability may result.

The trait is almost certainly hereditary, and is usually something the affected person would just be aware of, rather than a serious medical condition. However, if there is widespread laxity of other connective tissue, then this may be a sign of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Ligament laxity may also result from injury, such as a sports injury or a car accident. It can result from whiplash and be overlooked for years by doctors who are not looking for it, despite the chronic pain that accompanies the resultant spinal instability. Ligament laxity will show up on an upright MRI, the only kind of MRI that will show soft tissue damage. It can only be inferred from a digital motion x-ray. Regular x-rays and MRIs do not show it.

There are some advantages to having lax ligaments, and joints that often have a wider range of movement - double jointed people almost by definition have overly lax ligaments.

An interesting genetic association has been made between joint laxity and anxiety disorders. Both anomalies are thought to have a common origin in an abnormality in chromosome number fifteen.[1]

Signs

Loose ligaments can appear in a variety of ways, and levels of severity. It also doesn’t always affect the entire body. One could have loose ligaments of the feet, but not of the arms.

Someone with ligamentous laxity, by definition, has loose ligaments. Unlike other, more pervasive diseases, the diagnosis does not require the presence of loose tendons, muscles or blood vessels, hyperlax skin or other connective tissue problems.

In The Feet: Those who have loose ligaments in the legs and feet often mistakenly assume that they have flat feet. While their feet have an arch when not supporting weight, when stood upon, the arch will flatten. This is because the loose ligaments can not support the arch in the way that they should. This can make walking and standing painful and tiring. Pain will usually occur in the feet and lower legs, but can also spread to the back due to abnormal standing and walking habits. Wearing shoes that have good arch support can help minimize the discomfort. The underlying problem, however, is not solved by wearing shoes with arch supports or harmed worse from wearing shoes without arch support. There is currently no cure for the condition but abnormalities in walking gait can largely be corrected with the use of an orthotics intervention, prescribed by an orthotist, uniquely for each patient.

In The Ankle: Those who have this disease may experience sprained ankles more frequently than other people.

Sources

Article on hyperomobility of joints.

Article proving existence of the condition, effect on sport