About the Beighton Score
The Beighton score is a quick, widely used 9-point examination for generalized joint hypermobility — the tendency for many joints to move beyond the normal range. It was introduced for epidemiological surveys of joint laxity and is now a standard screening step within the assessment of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders. This tool adds up the points and applies the standard age-based cutoff; it is for education and self-assessment, not diagnosis.
The nine points
Four maneuvers are tested on both the left and right sides (1 point each side, so up to 2 points per maneuver), and one trunk maneuver is scored once. This gives a maximum of 9:
- Little finger: passive dorsiflexion of the fifth finger beyond 90 degrees — 1 point per hand.
- Thumb: passive apposition of the thumb to the flexor aspect of the forearm — 1 point per thumb.
- Elbow: hyperextension of the elbow beyond 10 degrees — 1 point per elbow.
- Knee: hyperextension of the knee beyond 10 degrees — 1 point per knee.
- Trunk: forward flexion with knees fully straight, placing both palms flat on the floor — 1 point.
Interpreting the total
A higher score means more widespread hypermobility. The 2017 international classification of the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes uses age-adjusted cutoffs for a positive screen: 6 or more of 9 for children and adolescents, 5 or more for adults up to age 50, and 4 or more for adults over 50. The older, still frequently cited threshold was a single cutoff of 4 or more. Because natural flexibility is greatest in childhood and decreases with age, the same raw number is weighed differently at different ages.
What the score does and does not tell you
- The Beighton score measures only the joints listed above. It can miss hypermobility confined to other joints (such as the hips, shoulders, or jaw) and does not capture past hypermobility that has since stiffened with age.
- A positive screen indicates generalized joint hypermobility, which is common and often harmless. It is not by itself a diagnosis of any syndrome.
- Diagnosing hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or a hypermobility spectrum disorder additionally requires symptoms, family history, and exclusion of other conditions, which only a clinician can assess.
Important disclaimer
This tool does not constitute medical advice. Do not use it to diagnose, treat, or manage any condition without consulting a licensed healthcare provider, especially if you have joint pain, frequent dislocations, or other concerning symptoms.