Symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)

The severity of EDS symptoms varies from mild to very severe and debilitating. Symptoms depend on the specific type of EDS.

The most common symptoms of EDS include:

• Loose, unstable joints that are prone to:
  • Swelling
  • Sprains
  • Dislocations
  • Hyperextension
  • Arthritis
  • Flat feet
  • Deformities of the thoracic spine, such as scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and kyphosis (a thoracic hump)

  Kyphosis

  

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• Soft, fragile skin that stretches far too easily; as a result:
  • Skin is prone to bruise easily
  • Minor injuries can result in gaping wounds
  • Wounds heal slowly and poorly
  • Suturing skin is difficult because skin tends to tear
  • Skin scars easily from wounds or stretching
  • Fleshy outgrowths may form on top of scars
  • Calcified nodules may form under the skin
  • The risk for surgical complications is greater due to deep tissue fragility

Other symptoms of EDS may include:

• Eye problems, such as:
  • Nearsightedness (common in adults with EDS)
  • Epicanthic fold-vertical fold of skin on either side of the nose, sometimes covering the inner corner of the eye (common in children with EDS)
  • Fragile sclera, which forms the white outer coat of the eyeball
  • Perforation of the globe of the eye (rare)
• Lung problems due to lose of normal elastic tissue
• Chronic musculoskeletal pain
• Weak blood vessels, which can lead to aortic aneurysms and spontaneous rupture of large blood vessels
• Problems with blood clotting, leading to easy bruising and bleeding
• Mitral valve prolapse (a heart valve problem)
• Susceptibility to gum bleeding and diseases
• Gastrointestinal problems, such as:
  • Hernias
  • Diverticulosis
  • Perforation or bleeding along the gastrointestinal tract

  Hiatal Hernia

  

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• Pregnancy-related problems, such as:
  • Premature birth
  • Early rupture of membranes
  • Bleeding during pregnancy and excessive bleeding during or after childbirth
  • Uterine rupture
  • Higher complications from procedures such as episiotomy and Cesarean section