Ligamentous Laxity
Encyclopedia
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 disorder
s. Both anomalies are thought to have a common origin in an abnormality in chromosome
number fifteen.http://www.freestudentedu.com/free_essays_id_923_A-Look-at-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-(OCD).php
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 vessel
s, 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 ankle
s more frequently than other people.
Article proving existence of the condition, effect on sport
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
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Ehlers–Danlos syndrome is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders, caused by a defect in the synthesis of collagen . The collagen in connective tissue helps tissues to resist deformation...
.
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 disorder
Anxiety disorder
Anxiety disorder is a blanket term covering several different forms of abnormal and pathological fear and anxiety. Conditions now considered anxiety disorders only came under the aegis of psychiatry at the end of the 19th century. Gelder, Mayou & Geddes explains that anxiety disorders are...
s. Both anomalies are thought to have a common origin in an abnormality in chromosome
Chromosome
A chromosome is an organized structure of DNA and protein found in cells. It is a single piece of coiled DNA containing many genes, regulatory elements and other nucleotide sequences. Chromosomes also contain DNA-bound proteins, which serve to package the DNA and control its functions.Chromosomes...
number fifteen.http://www.freestudentedu.com/free_essays_id_923_A-Look-at-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-(OCD).php
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 vessel
Blood vessel
The blood vessels are the part of the circulatory system that transports blood throughout the body. There are three major types of blood vessels: the arteries, which carry the blood away from the heart; the capillaries, which enable the actual exchange of water and chemicals between the blood and...
s, hyperlax skin or other connective tissue
Connective tissue
"Connective tissue" is a fibrous tissue. It is one of the four traditional classes of tissues . Connective Tissue is found throughout the body.In fact the whole framework of the skeleton and the different specialized connective tissues from the crown of the head to the toes determine the form of...
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 ankle
Sprained ankle
A sprained ankle, also known as an ankle sprain, twisted ankle, rolled ankle, ankle injury or ankle ligament injury, is a common medical condition where one or more of the ligaments of the ankle is torn or partially torn.-Cause:...
s more frequently than other people.
Sources
Article on hyperomobility of joints.Article proving existence of the condition, effect on sport