What Is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is an inherited condition that affects connective tissue including skin, joints and blood vessel walls. The hypermobile type is the most common. Individuals with Hypermobile EDS classically present with hyperextensible joints and skin.
What Are the Characteristics of Ehlers Danlos?
Individuals with EDS can often extend their fingers back greater than 90 degrees, place the thumb on their forearm, hyperextend the knees and elbows greater than 10 degrees, and place their palms flat on the floor with the knees fully extended. Spontaneous subluxation or dislocation of the joints and easy bruising are common and may occur with minimal trauma. The joints are often painful; acutely with dislocation or chronically with more generalized pain. Eventually degenerative arthritis can impact the joints.
Due to the symptoms of hypermobile EDS, individuals with this diagnosis may have difficulty completing daily routines (i.e. sleeping, writing, brushing his/her teeth) and may not have the ability to engage in sport-related physical activity. Statistics on EDS suggest the prevalence of the disorder is 1 in 2,500 to 1 in 5,000. It is not uncommon for a person with EDS to be seen by 5 or more doctors before they receive an accurate diagnosis.
How Can Hand Therapy at Elite Help?
Jessica Cesario, OT/L, CHS, is a skilled Certified Hand Therapist with experience in treating EDS. and will address symptoms of hypermobile EDS and allow improved functional status for people with this disorder. Therapy treatment interventions for hypermobile EDS include gentle strengthening for improving stability, coordination and joint position sense and customized joint protection techniques. An appropriate orthosis is the most common and important intervention offered by our Certified Hand Therapist to provide support to painful and unstable joints in the thumb and finger joints. The splints are used to limit hyperextension of the finger joints during daily activities.
Orthosis Option: Oval 8 Finger Splints
Contact Elite Sports Performance & Physical Therapy Today!
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome or other musculoskeletal issues affecting your hands, or you require post-operative rehab following a recent hand, wrist, or elbow surgery, Elite Sports Performance & Physical Therapy can help. We offer individualized, one-on-one quality, specialized, and evidence-based treatment. Contact us at 781-297-0979 or email us at PTinfo@elitefitcenter.com to schedule your initial appointment with our Certified Hand Therapist, Jessica Cesario.