3-Point Products' Healthcare Blog

PT & OT Treatment for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome – Hypermobile Type

PT & OT Treatment for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome – Hypermobile Type

What is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome 

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is an inherited condition of a collection of connective tissue disorders, of which the hypermobile type is the most common. Individuals with Hypermobile EDS classically present with hyperextensible joints and skin. 

Research statistics on EDS suggest the prevalence of the disorder is 1 in 2,500 to 1 in 5,000, but due to difficulty recognizing and accurately diagnosing the Hypermobility Type, the incidence is suspected to be much greater.

Are you a patient or consumer? Learn more about
EDS on our consumer site

Learn More About EDS

 

What Are the Characteristics of Ehlers Danlos?

Individuals with EDS can often extend their fingers back greater than 90 degrees, place the thumb on the volar 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 not uncommon 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.

eds1.jpg      eds2.jpg    

Physical and Occupational Therapy Treatment for Hypermobile EDS

It is not uncommon for a person with EDS to be seen by 5 or more doctors over a period of many years before they receive and accurate diagnosis.  This means persons with EDS are unlikely to receive therapy interventions that can prove to be highly effective.

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. Therefore to some extent their symptoms might diminish their health-related quality of life. Fortunately, physical and occupational therapists can address symptoms of hypermobile EDS and allow improved functional status for people with this disorder.Therapy treatment interventions for hypermobile EDS include gentle strengthening (i.e. for balance, coordination, and joint position sense) and customized joint protection techniques. 

Treating EDS with an Orthosis

Perhaps the most common and important intervention a therapist can offer is an appropriate orthosis to provide support to a painful or unstable joint.

1. Involved Joint: Thumb and Finger Joints (Interphalangeal Joints) 

Orthosis Option:  Oval 8 Finger Splints

Oval-8 Finger Splints

Use of the Orthosis: Wear to control or limit hyperextensibility in the PIP and DIP joints during daily activities


2.  Involved Joint:  Metacarpophalangeal joints of the Fingers

Orthosis Options: Polycentric Hinged Ulnar Deviation Splint or Radial Hinged Ulnar Deviation Splint

polycentric ulnar deviation splint    radial ulnar deviation splint

Use of the Orthosis: Maintain finger alignment at the MP joints to provide stability without interfering with hand function


3.  Involved Joint: Thumb CMC (basal) joint

Orthosis Options: Fix Comfort Thumb Brace

fix comfort thumb  brace for cmc thumb pain

Use of the Orthosis: Not just for arthritis, can be used to support the base of the thumb for function and/or sleep


4.  Involved Joint: Wrist

Orthosis Options: Fix Comfort Wrist Brace

fix comfort Wrist_ brace  for carpal tunnel and wrist support

Use of the Orthosis: Ultra Light open air design provides moderate support to limit hyperextension and relieve pain

Complaints of generalized hand and wrist pain in those with EDS can be reduced or relieved by simple therapy interventions including compression gloves, adjustable wraps and a carefully tailored exercise program. Both PT’s and OT’s are a valuable adjunct to helping those with EDS function and feel better.

 Like what you've read? Subscribe to our blog!

 

Blog References: For more information on this topic, click to see the references for this blog post

Topics

Related Posts

Subscribe