Many of these are common degenerative processes involving age, wear, and tear. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is one of several heritable disorders that primarily affects the way that the body's connective tissues are made. These disorders actually involve a variety of genetically acquired defects in the production of collagen. Defective collagen can adversely affect the intergrity of the joints, tendoms, ligaments, skin, blood vessels, intestinal walls, and the uterus. For many patients, depending on the type of EDS they have, the musculoskeletal and arthritic features of their disease, and their complications, are often the major manifestations of the disease.
Rheumatology is a specialty that deals with diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
As a subspecialty of internal medicine, Rheumatologists diagnose and treat all forms of arthritis, and many other related diseases that involve the musculoskeletal system as well. While Rheumatologists are trained to recognize and care for these illnesses, rheumatology is different than orthopaedics. Rheumatology, being a branch of internal medicine, puts much more emphasis on diagnosis, and stresses treatment with drugs and other non-surgical approaches. It is surprising that many people with EDS have never seen a Rheumatologist, or possibly even heard of the specialty of rheumatology. Because EDS is a connective tissue disease, the Rheumatologist has a crucial role to play in it's diagnosis and management.