Bridlington boy's surgery hopes dashed

A BOY who has a rare disorder which causes his limbs to dislocate up to 70 times a day has been told he cannot have life-changing surgery until he stops growing.

Alex Nolan, 13, of Bridlington, who has hypermobility syndrome, travelled to London with his parents expecting to undergo pioneering keyhole surgery.

They hoped it would stabilise movement in his shoulders and knees, to stop them from dislocating.

Instead, after a series of consultations, doctors told Alex his only option is to undergo gruelling daily physiotherapy sessions until the age of 18.

It comes after four years of coping with the condition which has got so bad in the past month it has prevented Alex from going to school.

Despite resting, his shoulders dislocate without warning between 60 and 70 times per day, and his knees also give way, causing him to collapse.

The condition is caused by the muscle not being strong enough to hold the joint, something which may change as his body develops.

Today, his dad Andrew, 40, of Edwardian Drive, Bridlington, said Alex has been left “gutted” after being told he will have to wait for surgery.

He said: “We were under the impression after all this time the surgery would be going ahead.

“But after looking at him, the doctors just said surgery won't help him.

“It's a major blow for us all because we were all hoping the surgery would change his life, but those dreams have now been shattered.”