Braces may be prescribed to stabilize joints, although surgery is sometimes necessary to repair joint damage caused by repeated dislocations. Physical therapy teaches individuals how to strengthen muscles around joints and prevent or limit damage. An individual with EDS should double check this type of therapy with a physician. Therapy that doesn't require medical consultation involves protecting the skin with sun screen and avoiding activities that place stress on the joints. The outlook for individuals with EDS depends on the type of disorder.
Symptoms vary in severity, which alters the frequency of complications on an individual basis.
Most individuals will have a normal lifespan, but people with blood vessel involvement, especially EDS vascular type, have an increased risk of fatal complications. Extreme joint instability and scoliosis may limit a person's mobility. However, some of the complications of the disorder can be avoided to a certain degree. Prior to having children, individuals with EDS should consult their physicians and a genetic counselor to investigate the risks to themselves and to their potential children. Biopsy A medical test in which a small amount of a tissue is surgically removed and then examined microscopically for evidence of disease or disorder.