The Beighton Scoring System measures joint hypermobility on a 9-point scale. The joints assessed are:. Where applicable, range of movement is measured using a goniometer, an instrument that measures the joint angle. Test both sides: Rest palm of the hand and forearm a flat surface with palm side down and fingers out straight. If yes, add one point for each hand.
Test both sides: With the arm out straight, the palm facing down, and the wrist then fully bent downward, can the thumb be pushed back to touch the forearm? If yes, add one point for each thumb. Test both sides: With arms outstretched and palms facing upwards, does the elbow extend bend too far upwards more than an extra 10 degrees beyond a normal outstretched position? If yes, add one point for each side. Test both sides: While standing, with knees locked bent backwards as far as possible , does the lower part of either leg extend more than 10 degrees forward?
Can you bend forward and place the palms of your hands flat on the floor in front of your feet without bending your knees? If yes, add one point. B With arms outstretched forward but hand pronated, if the thumb can be passively moved to touch the ipsilateral forearm it is considered positive scoring 1 point. E With knees locked straight and feet together, if the patient can bend forward to place the total palm of both hands flat on the floor just in front of the feet, it is considered positive scoring 1 point.
The 5-part questionnaire was designed as a quick check to see if someone has or may have had hypermobility Hakim and Grahame, It has been used in clinics and in research and has been translated for use in several languages and tested in several countries Glans et al.
It was tested and designed as an alternative to the Beighton score. There are two other tools that clinicians use in contemporary clinical practice and research. One assesses hypermobility in the arm Nicholson and Chan, , and the other hypermobility in the leg and foot Ferrari et al.
