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Overview. Hitchhiker’s thumb is a thumb that’s hypermobile, or very flexible, and able to bend backward beyond the normal range of motion. Known formally as distal hyperextensibility, this condition isn’t painful and doesn’t inhibit the thumb’s function in any way.
How rare is a double jointed thumb?
Hypermobility (more commonly called being double-jointed) affects about 20% of people.
What does it mean to have a double jointed thumb?
Physicians and researchers call it joint hypermobility or joint laxity, and it simply means that someone is able to move their joints farther than most people can. Most of us can bend our thumbs backwards a few degrees, but some can bend it farther.
How do you tell if your thumb is double jointed?
Here’s a simple way – known as the Beighton Test – to assess your hypermobility: Stand with your knees straight. If you can bend one or both of your elbows slightly backward, add a point to your score. If you can bend one or both of your thumbs down until they touch your inner arm, add a point for each thumb.
How do you treat a double jointed thumb?
If you have joint hypermobility syndrome, treatment will focus on relieving pain and strengthening the joint. Your doctor may suggest you use prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers, creams, or sprays for your joint pain. They may also recommend certain exercises or physical therapy.
Is a hitchhiker’s thumb rare?
Prevalence of hitchhiker’s thumb Hitchhiker’s thumb hasn’t been studied extensively, and there is little to no data on its prevalence in the United States or worldwide. However, a 2012 study found that 32.3 percent of a random sample of 310 people had hitchhiker’s thumb.
What does it mean if you can touch your thumb to your wrist?
This is a sign of Hypermobility. Test it for yourself – Place your hand up vertically like this, bend your hand forward, grab your thumb, then see if you can touch your thumb back to your wrist. Some people like Alexa can touch their thumb against their wrist or get very close to it as well.
Why can I pop my thumb in and out?
Trigger Finger & Trigger Thumb. Trigger finger or trigger thumb is a condition that causes your fingers or thumb get stuck in a bent position. Those with trigger finger or trigger thumb may have stiffness when bending the finger(s) or hear snapping and popping when moving the finger(s).
What is triple jointed?
The triple joint complex is below and in-front of the ankle joint and allows side-to-side or tilt movements of the heel as well as contributing to flexibility of the foot and up and down movement at the ankle.
Is being double jointed bad for piano?
Being double-jointed can be an asset to some aspects of playing piano, guitar, and other string instruments. It can also make certain techniques difficult, and even make players more prone to injury.
Can you be hypermobile but not flexible?
Hypermobility often masquerades as flexibility. A hypermobile individual can often perform stretching activities with apparent ease. However, on examination, their muscles will be very tight.
Are double jointed people more prone to injury?
In fact, hypermobility is a risk factor for musculoskeletal problems as passive structures are more prone to small but repetitive injuries. Being hypermobile can increase your risk of shoulder dislocation, failure of ACL ligament repair and injuries relating to ballet and gymnastics.
Is double jointed bad?
Many people with joint hypermobility have few or no problems related to their increased range of movement. Being hypermobile does not necessarily mean you will have any pain or difficulty. If you have symptoms, it is likely that you have joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS).
What parts of your body can be double jointed?
Joints commonly associated with hypermobility (wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, shoulders) may be at more severe risk to dislocate or strain.
Does hypermobility go away with age?
Hypermobility often improves with age. Families should be aware that its main risk comes from preventing children to live normal lives. Children should be encouraged to maintain a normal level of activity, including playing any sports they are interested in.
How common is double jointed?
Joint hypermobility, which affects approximately 20 percent of the population, confers an unusually large range of motion. Hypermobile people can often, for instance, touch their thumb to their inner forearm or place their hands flat on the floor without bending their knees.
Why is it called Murderer’s thumb?
What does having a stub thumb mean? Well, back when fortune tellers started practicing palmistry it also meant that you were accused of having a temper and being callous, earning the name “murderer’s thumbs.” Which is pretty cool, unless you were accused of a crime because of it.
What does a bendy thumb mean?
Some people have thumbs that are hypermobile. This means they bend backward beyond the typical range. The medical term for hitchhiker’s thumb is distal hyperextensibility. It is also known as Z-shaped deformity of the thumb. Hitchhiker’s thumb is not painful and does not make it harder to use your hands.
What are weird thumbs called?
More commonly referred to as “clubbed thumbs” and often comically called “toe thumbs” (delightful!), brachydactyly type D is an inherited condition in which “the end bones of the thumbs are shortened but all the fingers are normal,” according to HealthLine.
Is being double jointed real?
People with “double-jointedness” actually have hypermobility syndrome, a condition that allows them to move a bone within a joint to its fullest capability, but without experiencing the pain and discomfort that the average person experiences when extending a joint beyond its normal range.
How far back can fingers bend?
These joints allow for fine motor control, and in most people can flex about 45 or 50 degrees, and more for some when the finger is fully bent. The DIP joint can also extend or bend backwards anywhere from 10 to 25 degrees. The most proximal finger joints are called the metacarpophalangeal joints, or MCP for short.
Is it normal to have bent fingers?
The bent finger usually functions fine and doesn’t hurt, but its appearance can make some children self-conscious. Clinodactyly is uncommon, affecting about 3 percent of babies born in the general population. Any finger on either hand can be curved due to clinodactyly.
