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Medical Author:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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In this Article

• What is Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
• What are the types of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes?
• How is Ehlers-Danlos diagnosed?
• How are Ehlers-Danlos syndromes treated?
• Ehlers-Danlos At A Glance
• Patient Comments: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - Diagnosis
• Patient Comments: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - Share Your Experience
• Patient Comments: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - Treatments
• Find a local Rheumatologist in your town
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Index

The diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is based upon the clinical findings of the patient and the family history. For some types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a skin biopsy to determine the chemical makeup of the connective tissue can help to suggest the diagnosis.

Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are treated according to the particular manifestations present in a given individual.

Skin protection (from injury of trauma and sun, etc.) is critical. Wounds must be tended with great care and infections treated and prevented. Suturing can be difficult as the skin can be extremely fragile.

Joint injury must be avoided. Occasionally, bracing may be necessary to maintain joint stability. Exercises that strengthen the muscles that support the joints can help to minimize joint injury. Contact sports and activities involving joint impact should be avoided.

• Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are a group of disorders which share common features including easy bruising, joint hypermobility (loose joints), skin that stretches easily (skin hyperelasticity or laxity), and weakness of tissues.
• The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are inherited in the genes that are passed from parents to offspring.
• The diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is based upon the clinical findings of the patient and the family history.
• Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are treated according to the particular manifestations present in a given individual.