What is the Difference Between Ehlers-Danlos and Hypermobility Syndrome

The key difference between Ehlers-Danlos and hypermobility syndrome is that Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a connective tissue disorder that involves overly flexible joints, stretchy, fragile skin, and blood vessel problems, while hypermobility syndrome is a connective tissue disorder that involves very flexible joints, joint pain, ligament injuries, tiredness, and bowel issues.

Connective tissue disorders are a group of disorders that affect connective tissue, which is rich in proteins that support organs and other parts of the body. Ehlers-Danlos and hypermobility syndrome are connective disorders that have genetic influences. They are two associated medical conditions. Connective tissue disorders are mainly due to the inflammation of connective tissues in the body. Sometimes, hypermobility syndrome can be a sign of a more serious underlying genetic condition such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome, and Down syndrome.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
3. What is Hypermobility Syndrome
4. Similarities – Ehlers-Danlos and Hypermobility Syndrome
5. Ehlers-Danlos vs Hypermobility Syndrome in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Ehlers-Danlos vs. Hypermobility Syndrome

What is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome affects connective tissues such as the cartilage, bone, fat, and blood in the body. It is due to defects in collagen, so people with this condition have weaker collagen. It means their connective tissues are not as strong or supportive as they should be. There are over 20 different genetic mutations that can cause Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, affecting the development of collagen proteins. The symptoms of this condition may include overly flexible joints, soft skin that is thinner and stretches, bruising easily, unusual scarring, joint and muscle pain, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. The complications resulting from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome include problems with valves in the heart, scoliosis, thin corneas in the eyes, bowed limbs, and teeth and gum problems.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, and genetic testing. Furthermore, treatment options for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome may include wearing sunscreen and using mild soaps to protect the skin, physical therapy to strengthen muscle around the joints, wearing braces, and avoiding strenuous lifting, high-impact exercise, and contact sports.

What is Hypermobility Syndrome?

Hypermobility syndrome is a connective tissue disorder due to loose and weak ligaments. In this condition, there are more flexible joints than normal, leading to joint pain and other symptoms. The more frequent symptoms of hypermobility syndrome may include frequent joint and ligament injuries like dislocations and sprains, joint and muscle stiffness, tiredness or fatigue, clumsiness or poor balance, bladder and bowel issues, dizziness, fainting, and thin and stretchy skin. Hypermobility syndrome is caused by gene mutations that result in defects in collagen. Moreover, complications involved in this condition are joint dislocations, early onset arthritis, prominent scarring in the skin, and rupture of major organs such as the uterus and intestines.

Hypermobility syndrome can be diagnosed through family history, physical examination, blood test, and genetic testing. Furthermore, treatment options for hypermobility syndrome may include medications such as pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, etc.), blood pressure lowering medications, physical therapy, surgical and other procedures to reduce contact sports activities, resting the jaw, wearing supportive shoes, and improving sleeping.

What are the Similarities Between Ehlers-Danlos and Hypermobility Syndrome?

• Ehlers-Danlos and hypermobility syndrome are two associated medical conditions.
• Both conditions are connective tissue disorders.
• They are due to gene mutations that result in defects in collagen.
• They may cause complications.
• Both conditions can be diagnosed through family history, physical examination, and genetic testing.
• They can be treated through specific medications and therapies.

What is the Difference Between Ehlers-Danlos and Hypermobility Syndrome?

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a connective tissue disorder in which patients have overly flexible joints, stretchy, fragile skin, and blood vessel problems, while hypermobility syndrome is a connective tissue disorder in which people have very flexible joints, joint pain, ligament injuries, tiredness, and bowel issues. This is the key difference between Ehlers-Danlos and hypermobility syndrome. Furthermore, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome affects older people more than young people, while hypermobility syndrome is more common in children and young people.

The infographic below presents the differences between Ehlers-Danlos and hypermobility syndrome in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Ehlers-Danlos vs. Hypermobility Syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a connective tissue disorder characterized by overly flexible joints, stretchy, fragile skin, and blood vessel problems, while hypermobility is characterized by very flexible joints, joint pain, ligament injuries, tiredness, and bowel issues. Moreover, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome affects older people more than young people, while hypermobility syndrome is more common in children and young people. So, this summarizes the difference between Ehlers-Danlos and hypermobility syndrome.

Reference:

1. “Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “Joint Hypermobility Syndrome.” NHS Choices, NHS.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Finger pile Ehlers Danlos syndrome” By SamuelEDS94 – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Hypermobility 1” By MissLunaRose12 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia