Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

At SetPT, we see patients with a variety of injuries and conditions. Our therapists treat patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) frequently in our Washington, DC Metro Center and have written a short informational post on EDS for our readers who may not be familiar with the syndrome.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a group of genetic disorders that affects connective tissue, bones, organs, blood vessels, and the neurological system. There are six major types of EDS, classified by the body system it affects most severely. With each type of EDS, the body has difficulty making or using collagen. Collagen is an important tissue in creating and maintaining structure throughout the body, including the skin, muscles, ligaments, tendons, blood vessels. As such, patients with EDS often have difficulty with stability in and around their joints, difficulty with vascular structures, and chronic pain.

There are six major types of EDS; the most common is hypermobility type (type III). This is the type of EDS we see most frequently in physical therapy. This type is dominated by joint instability (or hypermobility). Individuals with this type of EDS often have recurring joint dislocations and subluxations that are spontaneous or the result of minimal trauma. The skin may also be hyperextensive and fragile in this type of EDS. Another clinical manifestation of this type of EDS is chronic pain. The pain can be debilitating and involve multiple joints at once. Headaches and migraines are common, as is fatigue and difficulty sleeping.

Physical therapy for patients with EDS involves pain control and management, maximizing joint stability, and assisting in finding supportive devices for significantly unstable joints. Strengthening exercises must be carefully prescribed for EDS patients because their joints as more susceptible to damage and dislocation. Aquatic exercise may help relieve stress and strain while providing gentle resistance.

If you think you are suffering from EDS, contact your primary care physician or talk to your physical therapist.