Normally, in a patient with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome joints will be uniformly lax throughout the body but in some variants some joints may be normal or even slightly stiff. If these are required to do extra work, compensating for the disadvantages of the more supple joints, they may also cause problems. Painful blows and perhaps even contact sports should be avoided, though sports such as swimming and cycling are much less likely to do harm. Sudden twisting or rotating movements, particularly at the knee joints, as may occur in competitive squash or tennis should also be avoided. If the joints are extremely supple a complete abstinence from sport may be required.
Various splints are available.
The most simple would be an elasticated bandage, beloved of professional sports players, that will cushion, protect and to some extent stabilise the wrist, elbow, knee or ankle as required. Futura wrist splints offer greater stability. These are elasticated and have a thin aluminium rod running the whole length of the splint, allowing moulding to the particular shape of the individual's wrist and hand. Comparable splints are available from professional appliance makers for other joints. Occasionally the degree of laxity may be so gross that even greater stability is required, sometimes with leg irons or braces.