Super-flexible joints may be great to have if you love sports like gymnastics. But when your hypermobile joints come along with symptoms like muscle pain or excessive movement that affects your head, neck, and knees, you may have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The board-certified neurosurgeons at The Metropolitan Neurosurgery Group in Silver Spring, Maryland, have extensive experience diagnosing and treating Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, an inherited condition that can lead to serious health complications. To schedule an appointment, call the office today.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or EDS includes a group of inherited disorders that cause defective collagen and weak connective tissues. There are currently 13 different subtypes of EDS based on their genetic variations, but they have overlapping symptoms:
A range of health problems can arise due to weak ligaments and connective tissues, including:
It’s also common to develop neuromuscular problems such as muscle pain, cramps, and weakness.
Depending on the type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome you have, you may experience:
If EDS affects your blood vessels, you have a higher risk of cardiovascular abnormalities and may experience symptoms such as chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, and shortness of breath.
Your treatment for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome focuses on alleviating your symptoms with medication and exercise or physical therapy. It’s also important to keep your blood pressure within a normal range. You may need surgery to repair joints that are damaged by frequent dislocations.
When you have atlantoaxial instability or craniocervical instability — conditions in which the joints between your head and the top two cervical vertebrae are affected — your The Metropolitan Neurosurgery Group provider may recommend surgery to realign the joint and fuse the bones.
If you have loose joints or notice fragile skin, or need expert care for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, call The Metropolitan Neurosurgery Group.