Examination of foot sensations in children with generalized joint hypermobility

Abstract

Background: Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) is a condition that can be observed in children and children with GJH may have problems such as clumsiness, proprioceptive sensory loss, balance and coordination disorders.

Aims: To evaluate foot and ankle senses in children with GJH and compare them with their healthy peers.

Study design: A cross-sectional study.

Subjects: Children aged 5-14 years with and without GJH were included in the study.

Outcome measures: After assessing the joint hypermobility of the children with the Beighton Score, tactile, vibration, two-point discrimination, and proprioception senses were evaluated.

Results: A total of 40 children (15 females, 25 males, mean age 9.43 years, SD ± 2.98 years, 20 with GJH and 20 without GJH) were included in the study. In children with GJH, foot sole tactile sense and ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion joint position sense were deficient in comparison with healthy controls (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: There were deficiencies in foot and ankle tactile and proprioceptive senses in children with GJH. Neurosensorimotor examination of balance and coordination should be performed and appropriate intervention programs should be planned accordingly in children with GJH.

Keywords: Child; Generalized joint hypermobility; Proprioception; Tactile sensation.