WHAT IS IT?
An inherited connective tissue disorder where a gene mutation creates weakened collagen throughout the body. Collagen is a building block of several different systems throughout the body: musculoskeletal, neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular. This can cause a number of different symptoms with a wide variety of presentation between people
Possible Symptoms
Musculoskeletal: pain, dislocations, muscle tightness, poor posture, headaches, chronic fatigue
Cardiovascular: lightheadedness, dizziness, poor
endurance, fainting, referred heart pain
Gastrointestinal: constipation, IBS, issues with eating GERD, bloating
Neurological: poor balance, poor coordination, increased pain perception
Other: easy bruising, skin hyperextensibility, poor immune system, anxiety, depression, issues sleeping
Considerations for Orthopedic
-
Surgery should try to be avoided due to poor healing
-
Possible issues with scar healing due to skin extensibility
-
Muscle tightness is commonly due to muscle compensation for weakness instead of true muscle tightness
-
Possible issues with pain medication and anesthesia
-
Longer healing times
-
Physical therapy is essential
-
Use cadaver connective tissue to avoid re-tearing
Modifications for Patients
-
If the healthcare provider is not familiar with EDS, you may need to educate healthcare professionals on EDS
-
Be prepared with documentation of your symptoms with context, medications and any lab reports (MRI, X-ray, blood work)
-
Seek specialist referrals for doctors familiar with EDS