Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders

Presented by Heather Purdin and Patricia Stott

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Video Runtime: 66 Minutes, Learning Assessments: 36 Minutes

This course provides a general introduction to the presentation of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorders, the most commonly diagnosed connective tissue disorders. Information provided will begin to open the eyes of the provider in understanding the complexity of this patient population and what is involved in these disorders. Understanding the compounding issues a patient is dealing with can help improve treatment strategies and allow for better outcomes and long-term management strategies. A brief review of general management strategies is provided to demonstrate how this patient population should be approached in a rehab setting. This course is appropriate for those in physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, and nursing.

Meet your instructors

Heather Purdin

Heather Purdin has been a practicing PT in an outpatient setting for 26 years and has a special interest in chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and connective tissue disorders. She is president of the Oregon Area Ehlers-Danlos Society. She is also president of Good Health Physical Therapy & Wellness, a private practice specializing…

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Patricia Stott

Patricia Stott treats primarily those with HSD/EDS and those considered highly sensitive patients at her own practice, Elevation Wellness, outside the Denver metro area in Colorado. Also trained in functional and herbal medicine, she works on health and wellness through holistic strategies with these patients, both in person…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. hEDS/HSD Prevalence, Genetics, and Basic Information

Symptomatic joint hypermobility indicative of a connective tissue disorder is often misdiagnosed and underdiagnosed. This chapter will present the current understanding of hEDS and HSD presentation and prevalence within the general population, outline the current genetic understanding, and provide information on the clinical diagnostic criteria within the handouts available in the course.

2. Presentation: Orthopedics

This chapter on orthopedics will review the common joint presentations that may be seen in patients with hEDS/HSD. While joint conditions are quite common in patients with hEDS/HSD, conditions can be influenced by neurological involvement and also present in severity from patient to patient. This chapter provides a brief review of joint conditions that may be present in an individual with hEDS/HSD.

3. Presentation: Additional Systems

As hEDS and HSD are connective tissue disorders, they involve all connective tissues and are not just limited to the orthopedic system. This chapter discusses the other systems that can be affected, including the integumentary, neurological, psychological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and genitourinary systems, and briefly covers dysautonomia and mast cell activation syndrome.

4. General Management Strategies

This chapter will outline the components of a successful rehabilitation program for HSD/EDS. The chapter discusses the progression of manual therapy interventions as well as progression of therapeutic exercises and basic concepts to consider when modifying exercises for patients with hEDS/HSD. Other modalities that influence the autonomic nervous system and assist in maintaining homeostasis will be discussed.