trampolining and injuries :(

[suzannehorne]

Hi

I have a general query about trampolining. Over the holidays I have been working for a children's sports school teaching swimming lessons. After work myself and a number of colleague often met up to play some sports (well I watch them play some sports). Yesterday the activity was trampolining and one of the leader mention that trampolining would be beneficial for my hypermobility syndrome as it would help to improve my core stability, posture and awareness of where my joints are. I was not sure, but gave trampolining a go. I must attempt that for the first few minutes I kept falling over, but after a couple of small turns, I did find that my balance was improving. Also one of my friends videoed me on her phone and I must attempt my posture did look so much better (knees were not so hyper- extended). Today my joints are sore, but not anymore than they would normally be. Does anyone know if trampolining can be used physio programme to improve posture (my physio is away on hol for a couple of weeks)?

Thanks

Suzanne

[Retro]

Hi Suzanne,

It does make sense that trampolining would help core stability and balance. In my teens my one and only after school activity was Trampoline Club. Unfortunately that was about the same time that I started to have problems with my knees so I blamed the trampolining for years. The main problem for us I think will be the constant "shock" to our joints. Although the trampoline does absorb alot of the shock and if your doing it right your knees should always be slightly bent, it will still be dodgy if you have any problems with your ankles/knees/hips/back/neck, then because you use your arms it would also affect your shoulders. It can be a good workout tho' and you use most of your muscles doing it too. And that's just by bouncing, you don't need to do any "tricks".

Lindsey

[christianne]

Hi Suzanne
My son has rebound therapy for core stability on the trampoline but it involves him sitting on it while the physio bounces and he has to hold still. Or he sits on a foam roll up cushion and again tries to keep his balance sometimes while holding a pole as a balancer.(laterally) We have been told that he should definitely NOT bounce himself because of the shock and jolting to the knees ankles hips etc. I don't know if this would apply to you but maybe best to get more advice?
love Christianne

[hannah]

I tried trampolining when I was little and hated it because I felt it made my joints feel wrong and hurt. One of my little sisters now diagnosed HEDS has dislocated her SIs on several occasions, initially caused by trampolining

However, 'walking' - shifting weight from one leg to the other on a trampet is supposedly a very good core stability exercise because you get the benefit without any impact. (my balance isn't good enough to try it though

Personally I would be very cautious about regular bouncing. - but then I am prejudiced!

[loosebones]

hi, just a quick post - I tried trampolines and it felt ok ish at the time but after and for the whole week following, it felt like I had broken both my legs - I'm not saying it will be the same for everyone but owuld just suggest not to over-do it, try building up gently - it is meant to be good but doesn't work for some people. hope this helps, happy bouncing!

[sarahh]

I use to love tramplolining when I was younger I did front flips on them. Then when we went on holiday to Norfolk 5 years ago I tried it again and lets just say my bladder didn't like much.

Sarah x

[roqchiq]

Unfortunately that was about the same time that I started to have problems with my knees so I blamed the trampolining for years.

Ditto. I think I'd try something less risky to start with, and only move on to trampolining if/when you're stronger.

[naama]

If you are having regular physio and your physio is only away for a couple of weeks I would wait and ask him/her what their advice is. They are the ones who treat you and see you regularly and know what you are able to do. I've had many experiences of going in at something that is too advanced for me and going backwards as a result. It might be OK for you, but i would wait and ask your physio for advice. I used to love trampolining but I do remember ending up flat on my back in agony at school on a trampoline. I didn't know back then that i had EDS. I did have a back problem but the PE teacher let me do it anyway. Probably not the best decision she ever made!

[Dusty]

My daughter sprains her ankles EVERY time she goes on a trampolline so her Physio says no more.

[suzannehorne]

Hi

Thanks for all your comments I have been away for the weekend so I am only getting them now. I think I will leave trampolining at the moment and I will speak to my physio in a few weeks time when she gets back. Although my knees were not anymore sore when trampolining, I really dont want to risk doing any damage to my knees.

I will keep you updated.

Thanks

Suzanne

[kmomto8]

I hate trampolines.
Now, the little round ones that people use to exercise, those I can get on board with, since one doesn't jump more than a few inches off the surface. The big ones that everyone seems to have in their backyard? Couldn't pay me to have one. Too many kids, too many people without joint instability get hurt. Our experience put the nail in the coffin for trampolines.
My dd got on a backyard trampoline. Jumped up, came down, her knee hyperextended, her femur slid under her patella and crushed her tibia creating a fracture that had her in casts and braces for 3 months and at the pedi ortho for two years to watch for complications. Her right leg hasn't healed perfectly but thankfully well enough that her gait is unchanged and she won't need surgery. One jump=months of pain and almost ended in surgery.
IMO, trampolines are not worth it.

[xxxxlollypopxxxx]

hey guys, (mods, i dont really know where to put this, please feel free to move me)

i have been doing trampolining on and off since i was about six years old, and i recently restarted at an adult club in london. i was a bit unsure about whether it was a good idea because i have been warned by some not to do anything that could make me dislocate, but as i'm sure you can imagine, if i lived by that i'd never get out of bed!

it was all going well, but then i had to take a break because of my job, and i went back for the first time in 3 weeks yesterday. well, today, i'm feeling it. i'm completely miserable. when i got on the trampoline yesterday i had some back pain but tried to work through it and after i warmed up it went away, so that was fine. trouble is, there was a different coach there yesterday who is lovely but really cracks the whip and ended up pushing me to do a crashdive (low height) without a mat, and i dont even know what happened, but my entire left side is agony today. it was kinda painful yesterday, and my shoulder hurt like hell after i did the move, so i think i probably subluxed or dislocated it in a different direction to normal (they normally dislocate straight down, but my arms werent in that position and it wouldnt have hurt if that were the case) but my knee is also incredibly painful, my ankle, elbow, hip and wrist are aso giving me trouble!!

can anyone offer me any advice??? is trampolining an unsuitable activity for someone with HMS? i dont even know why i'm posting, i'm just so miserable i feel like crying all the time, this kind of pain is so demoralising..,

[madmum]

Sadly even simple exercises can cause us problems. My son slipped sideways off a high step on saturday,he did not fall but jarred and twisted his leg. He is now in agony with groin sprain/tendon injury. The gp has said 4-6 weeks healing. He is advised not to march and take it easy(difficult with lots of stairs at school). He used to do trampolining but had to give up after an injury learning back drop. I would advise you seek medical advice on your recent problems and then speak to a physio regarding future sports. Hope you feel better soon.

[EmilyG]

Sorry to hear that I started trampolining when I was two and had to give up when I was 19. My rheumatologist told me from the age of 14 I shouldn't be doing it, but I loved it so much that I decided to ignore that advice. It just got to the point that it was too painful/too many dislocations and other injuries. As madmum says, maybe speak to a physio about this and see what they say. Everyone's different, after all!

[shen]

I used to do trampolining at school for a good few years. I absolutely loved it, i felt so free, this was before I was diagnosed with EDS and Prof Bird told me I must never do it again because of my knees, I really do miss it.

If your coach is being so unreasonable and unrelenting can you possibly give him some information on EDS and tell him that under no circumstances will you be pushed to do things that you feel your body cannot handle. Failing that is there maybe another club you can go to?

I would also echo the sentiment here of maybe speaking with your physio/consultant about the suitability of this sport. I understand your reluctance to give it up though, I really hated having to stop doing it too.