Is double-jointed a disability? Understanding the spectrum of hypermobility

September 23, 2025 •

4 min read

While up to 20% of the UK population is considered hypermobile, the question 'Is double-jointed a disability?' is more complex than it appears. Being double-jointed, or hypermobile, is a spectrum, and only when it causes significant, symptomatic issues that impact daily life does it fall under the medical definition of a disability.

Quick Summary

The term “double-jointed” refers to joint hypermobility, a condition that can become a disability depending on symptom severity. While often harmless, when hypermobility causes chronic pain, joint instability, dislocations, or fatigue severe enough to limit daily functioning, it can be classified as a disability.

Key Points

Double-jointed means hypermobile: It is a non-medical term for joint hypermobility, or increased joint flexibility, not having extra joints.
Not all hypermobility is a disability: Disability status depends on the severity of symptoms, not just flexibility. Many with benign hypermobility have no issues.
Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) can be disabling: When hypermobility is symptomatic, causing chronic pain, fatigue, or joint instability, it is classified as HSD, which can qualify as a disability.
Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) is a more severe condition: hEDS is a connective tissue disorder often accompanied by hypermobility and more profound, multi-systemic complications that can be disabling.
Disability recognition requires documentation: To be legally considered a disability, a healthcare provider must document that symptoms substantially limit major life activities, like working or walking.
Management focuses on stability: Treatment for symptomatic hypermobility involves strengthening muscles around joints and avoiding over-stretching to reduce injury and instability.
Symptoms can fluctuate: The severity of hypermobility symptoms can change over time, and a person may be disabled at certain times and not others, which complicates the assessment process.

What does it mean to be "double-jointed"?

Despite the common term, a person who is "double-jointed" does not have extra joints. Instead, they have joint hypermobility, a condition characterized by a greater-than-average range of motion in their joints. This is often due to more elastic ligaments and a looser connective tissue structure. For many, this flexibility is a benign trait, offering an advantage in activities like gymnastics, dance, or playing an instrument. For others, however, this hypermobility is a symptom of a deeper issue.

The spectrum of hypermobility: from benign to disorder

Benign joint hypermobility

At one end of the spectrum is benign joint hypermobility. Individuals with this condition have a high degree of flexibility but experience no pain or functional limitations. It is often a genetic trait passed down through families. Regular physical activity and awareness of their joint range of motion are often enough to prevent issues.

Hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD)

For others, hypermobility is symptomatic and causes problems. When an individual has symptomatic joint hypermobility that is not a result of another disorder, it is diagnosed as Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD). Symptoms can vary widely, but often include:

Chronic pain in the joints and muscles
Joint instability, increasing the risk of sprains and dislocations
Chronic fatigue
Coordination difficulties
Proprioception issues (a reduced sense of where one's body is in space)

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS)

On the more severe end of the spectrum is hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), a specific type of connective tissue disorder. While similar to HSD, hEDS involves broader, systemic issues beyond just the joints. The diagnostic criteria for hEDS are more stringent than for HSD and may include:

Generalized joint hypermobility (measured by the Beighton score)
Significant pain and instability in multiple joints
Skin and tissue manifestations
Multi-systemic complications (e.g., digestive issues, cardiovascular problems like Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, or PoTS)

When does hypermobility qualify as a disability?

Being double-jointed is not automatically a disability; it becomes one when the symptoms are severe enough to limit major life activities. The determination depends on the functional limitations experienced by the individual. For a condition to be classified as a disability under laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or for benefits like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), it must substantially limit one or more major life activities.

Key factors that determine disability

Severity of pain: Is the chronic joint and muscle pain debilitating and resistant to treatment?
Impact on mobility: Do frequent subluxations or dislocations limit the ability to walk, stand, or use one's hands?
Chronic fatigue: Does persistent, overwhelming tiredness prevent an individual from engaging in work, school, or daily chores?
Systemic complications: Conditions often associated with hEDS, such as PoTS or gastrointestinal issues, can create profound, disabling symptoms on their own.
Fluctuating nature: Symptoms can wax and wane, meaning an individual might experience periods of being severely disabled and periods of relative health. A successful disability claim must accurately document these functional fluctuations over time.

Comparison: Benign Hypermobility vs. Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder


Aspect	Benign Joint Hypermobility	Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD)
Core Feature	Increased joint flexibility	Symptomatic joint hypermobility
Associated Pain	Absent or very minimal	Chronic, widespread pain
Joint Instability	Stable joints, low risk of injury	Frequent subluxations (partial dislocations) or full dislocations
Functional Impact	Little to no impact on daily life	Can significantly impair daily activities, work, and school
Chronic Fatigue	Not a primary feature	Often a primary and debilitating symptom
Disability Status	Not considered a disability	Can be considered a disability if severe

Managing hypermobility and its impact

Medical and therapeutic approaches

Managing symptomatic hypermobility is a multidisciplinary effort, often involving rheumatologists, physical therapists, and other specialists. Physical therapy is crucial for strengthening the muscles surrounding the joints to improve stability. Low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling, and walking are recommended, while high-impact activities should be avoided.

Lifestyle adjustments

For those with symptomatic hypermobility, lifestyle adjustments are vital. These can include:

Avoiding end-range movements: Not over-extending a joint during exercise to prevent injury.
Mindful movement: Paying close attention to how joints feel to prevent overuse or injury.
Supportive devices: Using braces, supportive footwear, or ergonomic aids to stabilize joints and reduce strain.

Seeking disability recognition

If hypermobility symptoms are severe enough to impact daily life and work, individuals can pursue disability benefits. It is essential to have comprehensive medical documentation from healthcare providers that outlines the severity of the symptoms, their impact on daily functioning, and any systemic issues. Because conditions like HSD and hEDS can be invisible and fluctuate, this documentation is critical for a successful claim. An attorney specializing in disability claims can also assist with the process.

For more detailed information on living with hypermobility and associated disorders, the Ehlers-Danlos Society is an excellent resource, providing patient education, advocacy, and research updates.

Conclusion: a nuanced answer

The perception of being "double-jointed" as a mere party trick is a misconception that overlooks the significant challenges some individuals face. While the characteristic of hypermobility is not a disability in and of itself, the resulting conditions—Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome—can absolutely be. Disability status is not determined by a label but by the degree to which symptoms like chronic pain, joint instability, and fatigue limit an individual's ability to perform major life activities. Understanding this spectrum is crucial for both affected individuals seeking support and for society to better accommodate those with these often-misunderstood conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Being double-jointed refers to joint hypermobility, which is simply increased flexibility. This becomes a disability only when the flexibility leads to significant, symptomatic problems like chronic pain, frequent dislocations, or fatigue that interfere with daily life, a condition known as Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD).

You can only receive disability benefits if your hypermobility causes symptoms severe enough to substantially limit your ability to perform daily activities or work. You would not receive benefits for hypermobility alone, but for the disabling effects of a condition like Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) or hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS).

Disabling symptoms include chronic and severe pain, frequent joint dislocations or subluxations, debilitating fatigue, poor balance, and systemic issues like Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) that severely impact daily functioning.

No, while both involve joint hypermobility, they are not the same. HSD includes those with symptomatic hypermobility that does not meet the stricter diagnostic criteria for hEDS. HEDS is a more severe connective tissue disorder with broader, systemic complications.

Diagnosis involves a clinical assessment by a healthcare professional, often using the Beighton scoring system to evaluate joint flexibility. A medical history detailing any pain, instability, and other symptoms is also taken to determine if hypermobility is symptomatic and warrants a diagnosis of HSD or hEDS.

Management focuses on symptom control and improving joint stability. Physical therapy to strengthen muscles is key, along with pain management, and sometimes assistive devices like braces. Avoidance of high-impact exercises and excessive stretching is also recommended.

Yes, hypermobility can be a feature of other genetic connective tissue disorders, including Marfan syndrome and Down syndrome. It has also been linked to conditions like autism, chronic fatigue, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS).