What Are Ligaments?

Ligaments are strong bands of connective tissue that hold bones together at the joints, providing stability while still allowing movement. Ligaments in the knee, for example, let you walk, bend, and sit while keeping the joint from moving too far or twisting excessively. Without proper ligament support, joints become unstable, which can lead to wear, degeneration, or injury over time. Some ligaments also hold internal organs in place, supporting structures such as the uterus, intestines, liver, and stomach.

What Is Ligament Laxity?

Ligament laxity occurs when ligaments become too loose or overstretched and can no longer stabilize joints properly. You may also hear it called joint laxity, loose joints, hypermobility, or, in more severe cases, joint instability. When ligaments are too loose, joints move beyond their normal range. Flexibility can be helpful for athletes and dancers, but excessive movement without stability puts stress on the joint.

Think of a wheel on a car. When the lug nuts are properly tightened, the wheel turns smoothly and safely. When they are loose, the wheel wobbles, and wear and damage build up over time. Loose ligaments affect your joints the same way.

Why Ligament Laxity Can Be Misleading

Many people with ligament laxity do not feel “loose.” Instead, they feel tight, stiff, and sore. This happens because muscles tighten to protect an unstable joint, which creates ongoing tension and fatigue. If stretching gives only temporary relief and stiffness quickly returns, joint instability may be part of the problem.

Signs and Symptoms of Ligament Laxity

Symptoms vary by severity and location, but may include:

• Joint pain or chronic discomfort
• Back pain, especially with prolonged sitting
• Muscle spasms or tightness
• Joint instability or a “giving out” feeling
• Clicking, popping, or grinding in joints
• Frequent sprains or minor injuries that feel severe
• Swelling in joints such as the knees
• Numbness or tingling from nerve irritation
• Fatigue from overworked muscles

In more advanced cases, people may experience recurrent disc issues or spinal degeneration, joint dislocations or subluxations, poor balance or coordination, and chronic widespread pain. Some also show increased flexibility, such as locking or overextending the elbows or knees, placing their hands flat on the floor with straight legs, or bending the thumb back toward the forearm.

Causes of Ligament Laxity

Nutritional factors: Ligaments rely on proper nutrients to maintain strength and elasticity, and deficiencies can weaken tissue integrity.

Biomechanical factors: Joint structure, muscle balance, posture, and coordination (proprioception) all influence stability.

Trauma or repetitive stress: Falls, accidents, sports, and repetitive work motions can stretch and weaken ligaments.

Age and development: Children are naturally more flexible. Some outgrow it, while others have recurring problems later in life, especially after age 40.

Gender differences: Women often have greater joint mobility, while men may develop more stiffness as a protective response.

Genetic conditions: Some inherited conditions affect connective tissue, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome, Down syndrome, and cleidocranial dysostosis.

How Ligament Laxity Is Diagnosed

There is no single definitive test for ligament laxity. At Alta Mountain Chiropractic, Dr. Nathan T. Eldredge uses a detailed health history, physical examination, orthopedic testing, and hypermobility assessments such as the Beighton score to determine whether laxity is present and how severe it is.

Treatment for Ligament Laxity in Sandy, UT

Treatment focuses on improving ligament health and function while supporting overall joint stability. Depending on your needs, care may include:

• Nutritional support: Clinical nutrition to provide the nutrients connective tissue needs
• Exercise and movement: Controlled strengthening and corrective exercises, low-impact activities such as cycling, and stretching only when appropriate
• Activity modification: Avoiding excessive strain, high-impact activities, or movements that increase instability
• Supportive therapies: Heat, massage, myofascial work, and temporary bracing when needed
• Regenerative therapies: Prolozone® therapy, Traumeel® injections, and shockwave therapy to support the body’s natural repair of ligaments and connective tissue
• Chiropractic care: Gentle chiropractic adjustments to restore proper joint mechanics without overstressing loose joints

Important Considerations

Ligament laxity is a balance between mobility and stability. While more flexibility may feel good short term, improving control and support around the joint is usually more important long term. Because symptoms overlap with other conditions, a proper evaluation is key, especially with persistent or unexplained joint pain. Understanding laxity also helps explain why some people keep hurting despite regular stretching, and why restoring stability is often the missing piece.

For more information, see these resources:

https://www.doctorshealthpress.com/general-health-articles/ligamentous-laxity/

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-ligamentous-laxity

Ligament Laxity FAQs

Schedule Your Ligament Laxity Evaluation

To schedule ligament laxity treatment with Dr. Nathan Eldredge, call Alta Mountain Chiropractic at (801) 523-2582 or request your appointment online.

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