Patient question

I'm very flexible and my knees keep hurting. Is that connected?

Dr. Pablo GelberOrthopaedic Knee Surgeon

Quick answer

Often, yes. When ligaments are naturally lax, the muscles around the knee have to work harder to keep it stable, which can cause aching, fatigue and sometimes kneecap trouble. Targeted strengthening and control exercises help most people considerably, explains Dr. Pablo Gelber, knee surgeon at Aman Hospital in Doha, Qatar.

Why flexible knees can hurt

Joint hypermobility means your joints move further than average, usually because the collagen in ligaments is more elastic. Many flexible people never have symptoms. Others notice that their knees ache after standing, walking or sport, because the thigh and hip muscles are constantly correcting small wobbles.

Common patterns include aching at the front of the knee, knees that drift backwards when standing, a kneecap that feels unstable, and soreness that is worse at the end of the day or after a long flight.

Signs it may be more than flexibility

Several joints hurt, not just the knees
Frequent sprains, or joints that partly slip out
Skin that is soft, stretchy or bruises easily
Ongoing tiredness, dizziness on standing, or gut symptoms
A family history of hypermobility or related conditions

If several apply, the condition may be part of hypermobility spectrum disorder or hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which are worth diagnosing properly.

What helps

The mainstay is a progressive strengthening programme for the quadriceps, hamstrings, hips and core, combined with balance and position-sense training. Slow, controlled movements usually work better than stretching, which most hypermobile people do not need.

Useful everyday changes include avoiding standing with the knees locked straight, breaking up long periods of standing, choosing supportive footwear, and pacing activity rather than overdoing it on good days. Pool exercise in an indoor or shaded pool is a good way to build strength in the Qatar summer.

When to see a knee surgeon in Doha

Book an assessment if the kneecap slips or dislocates, the knee gives way, there is swelling after activity, or pain persists despite several months of good physiotherapy. At Aman Hospital Dr. Gelber measures your joint flexibility, examines kneecap tracking and ligament stability, and arranges imaging if a structural problem is suspected, before recommending a plan.

Frequently asked questions

Should I stretch my knees if they feel tight?

Usually not much. In hypermobile people tightness is often muscles guarding a loose joint, and strengthening tends to relieve it better than stretching.

Will hypermobility give me arthritis?

Some studies suggest a modestly higher risk over time, but staying strong, active and at a healthy weight helps protect the knees.