The Beighton Scale For Hypermobility is a composite score used to assess hypermobility
The Beighton score is used to evaluate joint hypermobility or flexibility in individuals. It is named after Dr. Rodney Graham Beighton, a rheumatologist who developed the scoring system.
The Beighton score consists of a series of tests that assess the range of motion and flexibility of specific joints in the body. The tests include:
- Passive dorsiflexion of the little finger: The ability to bend the little finger backward beyond 90 degrees.
- Passive apposition of the thumb to the flexor aspect of the forearm: The ability to touch or overlap the thumb and forearm when the hand is bent inward.
- Hyperextension of the elbow: The ability to straighten the elbow beyond the normal range.
- Hyperextension of the knee: The ability to straighten the knee joint beyond the normal range.
- Forward bending: The ability to touch the palms to the floor with the knees fully extended, while keeping the legs straight.
Each positive test is assigned one point, and the total score ranges from 0 to 9. A higher score indicates greater joint hypermobility. In some cases, additional assessments may be performed, such as evaluating joint mobility in the hips or spine.
The Beighton score is commonly used in clinical settings, particularly in the evaluation of joint hypermobility syndromes such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and Marfan syndrome. It helps healthcare professionals determine the degree of joint laxity or hypermobility in an individual.