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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Arthritis / Rheumatology
Over the past month or so, I am having issues with my joints. My legs are popping out of my hips, and my arms are popping out of my shoulders. There is no pain involved. In addition, every once in a while my knees give out. What could cause this?
Over the past month or so, I am having issues with my joints. My legs are popping out of my hips, and my arms are popping out of my shoulders. There is no pain involved. In addition, every once in a while my knees give out. What could cause this?
htmASKTHEDOCjointtissues
Your symptoms are unusual but could be due to joint dislocations.
1368821
InteliHealth
2010-06-21
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Robert H. Shmerling, M.D.
2012-06-21
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Ask The Expert
Harvard Medical School
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General Medical Questions
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Q: Over the past month or so, I am having issues with my joints. My legs are popping out of my hips, and my arms are popping out of my shoulders. There is no pain involved. In addition, every once in a while my knees give out. What could cause this?
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The Trusted Source
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Robert H. Shmerling, M.D.

Robert H. Shmerling, M.D., is associate physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and associate professor at Harvard Medical School. He has been a practicing rheumatologist for over 20 years at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He is an active teacher in the Internal Medicine Residency Program, serving as the Robinson Firm Chief. He is also a teacher in the Rheumatology Fellowship Program.

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June 21, 2010
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A:

Your symptoms are unusual but could be due to joint dislocations.

Ordinarily, the hips and shoulders dislocate only after significant force is applied to them, such as from athletic activities or a motor vehicle accident. Our joints have strong ligaments that hold the joints in proper position and prevent excessive motion that could cause dislocation.

If you are having repeated dislocations of your hips, shoulders and knees, it's possible you have a "hypermobility syndrome." As the name suggests, people with hypermobility syndromes have joints that are more mobile than normal due to looseness of the ligaments. The loose ligaments not only allow excessive motion, but also may not hold the bones in place as they should. Recurrent joint dislocations may follow. However, there is usually at least some pain.

Many people with hypermobility have loose joints but are otherwise healthy. Others, such as those with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or Marfan syndrome, have additional problems such as heart valve or eye abnormalities.

Hypermobility syndromes are usually present from birth. Yet, you've described your symptoms as developing only over the past month or so. Therefore, it's possible that your symptoms are due to something else. For example, some people with symptoms like yours actually have arthritis or tendonitis.

See your doctor so he or she can review your symptoms in detail and perform a thorough joint examination. That's the only way to understand what's causing your symptoms.

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