Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Symptoms

This article talks about potential symptoms of EDS. It is a helpful overview of possible symptoms.  Each individual’s symptoms will vary in location and severity.

“The symptoms that one experiences with EDS are mostly due to the lack of collagen or issues with collagen production. Therefore, not everyone will experience the same symptoms. Others have worse symptoms, and some individuals are lucky enough to only have mild harmless symptoms. For patients with EDS, their fingers and toes are likely to be extremely flexible. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing however, and can actually prove to be beneficial. However, this is often paired with loose joints that are prone to breaking or sprains, making it difficult for the individual to live a normal life. Most children with EDS must be extremely careful and must avoid falling or hurting themselves. This can lead to a very sheltered life. These symptoms are amongst the mildest of symptoms. Dental crowding is a condition commonly noticed in those with EDS. Children are most likely to experience this problem, because their teeth will be very crowded and crooked due to very narrow jaws and palates. Being easily bruised is often an unfortunate symptom as well, and is caused by narrow blood vessels. Even a small poke can cause a person with EDS to form a tender bruise. Blood vessels are likely to be extremely delicate, and require constant monitoring to ensure that the individual doesn’t rupture a vein or develop an aneurysm. Sadly children that have EDS are often not properly diagnosed at a young age. Therefore their parents are typically accused of child abuse, especially if the child has frequent bruises and scarring on the body due to minor injuries. Patients diagnosed with this disorder also have extremely soft, spongy skin. Their muscles are weak and undefined, and their skin may be easily pulled and “putty” like. Wounds may be difficult to heal, which will result in deep and obvious scarring.”

We disagree with the article’s assumption that flexible digits are “not necessarily a bad thing”. Most EDSers with hypermobile fingers develop pain at some point and often have to stabilize with ring splints. Hypermobile toes are very challenging to stabilize.  Nonetheless, the article presents some helpful information about symptoms.

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