Does regular clicking sensation of facet joints indicate possible joint hyPERmobility/hypOmobility or is it a sign of either? if joint clikcing increase after manipulation then would this be an indicator of hypermobility? This leads me to another questiona can hyPER mobility sometines be mistaken for hyPOmobility do to protective muscle spasm making the joint seem stiff?
Thanks
Complex stuff there.
I tend to ignore clicky joints, some people just have them, and they can develop at any time. If it increased after manipulation, then I still wouldn't be concerned; if it stayed increased after a course of treatment and resolution (including rehab) of the original problem, then I'd start taking notice. I don't really see how it would be related to hypermobility though (but haven't looked into it at all either).
Hypermobility can indeed be misdtaken for hypermobility; because even a hypermobile joint can become transiently hypomobile; in which case it needs movement added, but you want to be careful of how you do this, I generally favour much more gentle procedures (mobilisation) when I suspect it.
Hypermobility is extremely difficult to find though, it reacts normally to challenge after all - there are tests for global hypermobility, but they're pretty poor, and not terribly relevant.
Generally speaking, I treat degenerative joints and pregnant ladies as potentially hypermobile; beyond that, it's an impression, a suspicion only; certainly not something you can really quantify.
so generally speaking clicky facets can be quite normal and is not a reflection in the amount of degneration? spose its not a serious sign unless the clicking is associated with pain?
just out of interest does degenration in joints usualy take yrs and yrs or can it happen over a short period of time, lets say 6 months if circumstances permit?
Clicky joints are just clicky joints; I bet you knew some kid at school who could click his knuckles - same thing, and not too many 10year olds have arthritis.
DJD takes years and years, but is asymptomattic in itself; what it does is cause secondary biomechanical changes which cause the symptoms, and these can progress quite quickly in some instances; especially after specific trauma
Hi Bia
did you mean your second paragraph to begin Hypomobility can be mistaken for hypermobility ?
Hi Ian generally speaking I regard "joints clicking" at the end of there range of normal use eg last few degrees as fairly common.
However if the clicking is experienced within normal range of use I take that to be an early sign that there are problems with the smooth operation of the joint.( It just doesn't feel right does it ?)
If I then treat someone experiencing this problem ( clicking within normal range of use) I would expect the clicking to be very much reduced after treatment..... any increase in clicking would cause me concern as this would be unusual. With any associated pain being the most important factor.
This is my humble opinion.
Regards steve
sorry, should read "hypermobility can indeed be mistaken for hypomobility"
agreed, that if clicking is associated with pain, then I'm more concerned
Now why can't I edit that post? can I only edit my last post in a thread or something?
Once posted, members have a day to edit Bia. 🙂 The moderators however, can edit at any time where we are more than happy to do this for members such as yourself.
Warmest wishes- calla lily x