Practical management strategies for benign hypermobility syndromes

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Clinical Medicine
• Genetics

Background:

• Symptomatic hypermobility syndromes, including hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD), frequently present to rheumatologists.
• Patients often experience joint pain and functional disability, posing diagnostic challenges due to limited provider knowledge of associated manifestations and treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent updates in diagnostic measures for hEDS/HSD.
• To discuss current therapeutic modalities for rheumatologists managing patients with hEDS/HSD.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on diagnostic criteria and therapeutic interventions for hEDS/HSD.
• Assessment of evidence supporting physical therapy, occupational therapy, assistive devices, compressive garments, orthoses, and surgical options.

Main Results:

• Newer diagnostic measures and manifestation assessments for hEDS/HSD are described.
• Evidence supports physical and occupational therapy, with updates on assistive devices, garments, orthoses, and surgical interventions.
• Patient heterogeneity necessitates individualized treatment plans, often focusing on regional complaints over a whole-body approach.

Conclusions:

• Physical therapy and occupational therapy are the primary treatments for hEDS/HSD.
• Individualized, comprehensive treatment strategies are crucial for managing the diverse manifestations of hEDS/HSD.