Effect of shear wave elastography in determining joint hypermobility in young adult women

Joint hypermobility refers to a range of joint motion that exceeds normal limits, measured with consideration of factors such as age, sex, and ethnicity. It is determined by the structural characteristics of connective tissue components. Hypermobility can be an indicator or prominent feature of connective tissue disorders. It should be accurately assessed by clinicians. Descriptive scales and questionnaires based on physical examination are used in the assessment. Shear wave elastography is a new method that measures tissue stiffness. This study aimed to compare hamstring muscle stiffness using shear wave elastography between asymptomatic individuals with generalised joint hypermobility and healthy young adult women. In this cross-sectional study, 667 female students were screened. Those meeting the criteria for age, height, weight, and body mass index were included in the study. Participants were grouped based on the Beighton Score scale and the 5-Question Hypermobility Questionnaire. The study involved 30 research group volunteers and 30 control group volunteers, who underwent the straight leg raise test, sit and reach test, and shear wave elastography measurement. Significant statistical differences were found in the results of the straight leg raise test, sit-and-reach test, and shear wave elastography, with higher values in the research group. A moderate positive correlation was found between the shear wave elastography results and the 5-Question Hypermobility Questionnaire, Beighton Score, and straight leg raise test, while no correlation was found with the sit and reach test. The mean shear wave elastography measurement for hamstring muscles was estimated at 11.08 kPa (above the value for generalised joint hypermobility, below for healthy volunteers), with a sensitivity of 83.33% and a specificity of 66.67% for distinguishing between groups. Our study is the first to measure muscle stiffness in individuals with joint hypermobility using shear wave elastography. Shear wave elastography provides a low-cost, real-time, precise, and quantitative measurement of tissue stiffness. Further research is needed in the field of shear wave elastography to better differentiate individuals with joint hypermobility. Keywords: Hypermobility, shear wave elastography, ultrasonography, diagnosis, muscle.