What Causes Hypermobility Hip Pain?

You may be born with hypermobility, develop it through specific training or experience it during pregnancy. Hypermobility (hyperlaxity or double jointedness) means that some, or many, of your joints can be stretched beyond normal range. And it can cause pain. Hypermobile hips can hurt especially with certain activities.

Genetics

• Hypermobility is inherited. According to the London Pain Consultants, certain syndromes like Down (genetic disorder) and Marfan (connective tissue problems) can contribute to its inheritance. If you happen to have very mobile hip joints, then you are likely to have more hip pain as a result, especially as you age.

Sports Training

• If you are genetically hypermobile or have done specific training (gymnastics or dance) to increase hip joint flexibility, then exercise and training can cause pain. According to the Arthritis Research Campaign, muscles must do more work around hypermobile joints and fluid can build up in the joints after intense training.

Hip Dislocation

• Hypermobility can lead to one or both hips "popping" out of place. And when you are hypermobile, you may not even know what you have done. But the extreme pain will provide a clue that something is wrong.

Pregnancy

• During pregnancy, relaxin is secreted which loosens up the hip joint area and makes them hypermobile. This allows for the birth of the baby. But the loosening can cause hip pain. According to Pelvic Girdle Pain.com, a disorder can develop that remains after pregnancy.

Other Causes

• For those with hypermobile hips, repetitive motion (sitting at a computer), extreme cold weather, weight gain and sleeping on your stomach can cause intensified pain according to the Arthritis Research Campaign.