Beighton Hypermobility Score
Screens for generalized joint hypermobility to support diagnosis of hypermobility spectrum disorders and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Highest activation tier
- Recommended
- How it is scored
- Scored in code; a detected disagreeing draft value is flagged for correction
- Scoring type
- point sum
- Care settings
- Outpatient
When it activates
Scribeable activates a calculator from the encounter. The Beighton Hypermobility Score can activate when the transcript or pasted chart context documents any of these:
- Joint hypermobility assessment
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome screening
- Benign hypermobility evaluation
- Recurrent joint dislocations workup
- Connective tissue disorder screening
- Generalized laxity assessment
A coded diagnosis can also activate it. ICD-10 prefixes carried by the registry: M35.7, Q79.6.
Inputs the note needs
10 inputs. Each is resolved from the transcript, the pasted chart context and charted labs; at this calculator’s tier a missing input is never requested, and a missing required input keeps the score out of the draft.
| Input | Type | Unit / options | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Left 5th MCP passive hyperextension >=90 degrees (0 or 1)optional | exam | ||
| Right 5th MCP passive hyperextension >=90 degrees (0 or 1)optional | exam | ||
| Left thumb passively touches forearm (0 or 1)optional | exam | ||
| Right thumb passively touches forearm (0 or 1)optional | exam | ||
| Left elbow hyperextends >=10 degrees (0 or 1)optional | exam | ||
| Right elbow hyperextends >=10 degrees (0 or 1)optional | exam | ||
| Left knee hyperextends >=10 degrees (0 or 1)optional | exam | ||
| Right knee hyperextends >=10 degrees (0 or 1)optional | exam | ||
| Palms flat on floor with knees fully extended (0 or 1)optional | exam | ||
| Pre-computed Beighton total score (0-9) if individual items not availableoptional | exam |
Scoring
9-point scoring: Bilateral 5th finger MCP passive dorsiflexion >=90 degrees (1 point each side, max 2). Bilateral thumb passive apposition to forearm (1 each, max 2). Bilateral elbow hyperextension >=10 degrees (1 each, max 2). Bilateral knee hyperextension >=10 degrees (1 each, max 2). Forward flexion with palms flat on floor, knees extended (1 point). Total 0-9.
Interpretation
Adults: Score >=5 = generalized joint hypermobility (GJH). Children/adolescents: Score >=6 = GJH. Score >=4 with historical joint laxity (5-point questionnaire): consider GJH even if current Beighton subthreshold (hypermobility decreases with age). GJH alone is common (10-20% of population) and usually benign. Symptomatic GJH (with pain, instability, proprioceptive deficits): hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD). GJH + systemic features (skin hyperextensibility, atrophic scarring, organ involvement): evaluate for hEDS per 2017 criteria. Management: proprioceptive training, joint stabilization exercises, activity modification.
Evidence
Sources carried in Scribeable's citation registry for this calculator; guideline version: Beighton 1973.
- Beighton P et al. Articular mobility in an African populationBeighton et al. (Hypermobility) 1973 · 1973 · link last verified 2026-03-28
How Scribeable handles it in the note
When an encounter activates the Beighton Hypermobility Score (its highest tier is recommended), Scribeable does not ask you for missing inputs. The score is computed in code from whatever inputs resolve from the transcript, the pasted chart context or charted labs; a computed value is written into the draft only when every required input already resolves.
The score is computed in code from the resolved inputs, not recalled by the language model. If the draft states a Beighton Hypermobility Score value that disagrees with the computed one, the disagreement is flagged to the second drafting pass, which is instructed to correct the score and its interpretation before you see the note.
Classified as a risk score: activated strictly, by a documented trigger, never by a permissive reading of the encounter.
See it activate on your own encounter
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