Health · 28 August 2026
Hundreds of thousands with hypermobility face long waits for diagnosis
Image by The Yuri Arcurs Collection on Freepik
Around 200,000 to 300,000 people in the UK could have hypermobility spectrum disorders, but many wait nearly 20 years for a diagnosis. These conditions, like HSD and hEDS, make joints too flexible and can cause pain, fatigue, and digestive problems. Experts say diagnosis is a "postcode lottery" because there are no dedicated NHS guidelines for doctors.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs