8/19/2019 Ligament Laxity

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© Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust

Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP2 8BJ

www.salisbury.nhs.uk

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etc) please contactthe Patient Advice

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 Author : Karen Rob inson

Date written: January 2008

 Approved: July 2008

Review date: July 2011

Version: 1.0

Code: PI0031

Ligament Laxity (1 of 2)

What is a ligament?Ligaments are strong, exible bands that hold bones together at•

 joints.

Ligaments help to keep joints stable, although they are not the only•

structures to do this. Muscles also help to stabilise the joint.

How do ligaments stabilise joints?

Ligaments help to stabilise joints by:

Preventing the joint moving in the wrong directions.a. Limiting the amount of movement in the right directions.b.

The joints in our ngers, thumbs, knees, elbows and ankles are

particularly reliant on ligaments for stability.

Why are ligaments lax (loose) and does it matter?

The cause of ligament laxity is not known.

It is often common within families.•

There is a wide variety of ligament tension that is within normal•

range.Frequently, lax ligaments are not considered a problem, in fact for•

dancers and gymnasts being “stretchy” is useful.

Ligaments cannot be altered by exercise, but do naturally tighten•

as children grow. General activities to help increase muscle

strength and stamina will help stabilise joints.

What problems does laxity cause?

1. Difculty with tasks involving nger strength:

Opening packets e.g. crisps.•

Turning taps on/off.•

Unscrewing lids, opening lunch boxes.•

Doing buttons, laces etc.•

Manipulation e.g. Lego.•

2. Difculties with writing:

Gripping a pencil more tightly than usual, to compensate for poor•

stability.Holding a pencil in an unusual way, e.g. with an overlapping thumb,•

Children’s Physiotherapy

01722 336262 ext 4667/2280

8/19/2019 Ligament Laxity

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© Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust

Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP2 8BJ

www.salisbury.nhs.uk

with joints of the ngers pushed back excessively and with more of the ngers in

contact with the pencil.

Pressing excessively hard onto the paper.•

 Although these strategies seem to help stability they hinder uency and cause poor

blood ow through the muscles, resulting in cramps and pain.

Poor sitting position when writing.•

3. Difculties with activities that involve walking, standing on one leg or balancing generally.

Children who have underdeveloped foot arches due to ligament laxity often nd it difcult

to stand on one leg and can nd sport involving balancing on one leg difcult.

Where arches are well developed, the weight of the body is taken through the outer border

of the foot and the muscles and ligaments are correctly aligned to control balance. If the

weight is taken through the inner border of the foot because of ligament laxity, the muscles

and ligaments are poorly aligned, making it more difcult to balance. This can cause foot

and calf pain and minor repetitive injury.

What can be done to improve function?

Using insoles to correct the foot position may limit the pain and may help increase stability.

 Activities that gently increase stamina and muscle strength should be incorporated into

everyday activities, such as:

Gross motor activities

Playing in the park and indoor soft play.1.

Swimming.2.

Walking.3.

Playing non-competitive ball games.4.

Fine Motor activities 

Using different width pens to help improve hand position when writing and reduce pain1.

(you can use an elastic band to widen a pen or pencil). If the child is overusing certain

muscles, and this is causing pain, they can benet from massage and stretching, which

improves blood ow. Short rests and stretching whilst working can help.

Playing with Lego, Play Dough, model making etc. will increase nger strength.2.

 A sloped writing board and a sloped cushion to sit on can help improve a sitting3.position.

When using computers; short rests and stretching whilst working helps.4.

If you have any specic concerns regarding the above information, please contact your

child’s therapist on telephone number below.

Many thanks to Sally Wright who allowed us to base this information sheet on one that she

had produced.

Ligament Laxity (2 of 2)

Children’s Physiotherapy

01722 336262 ext 4667/2280