He put the boney end of the tendon on the anterior glenoid, divided the tendon into strips and pulled the strips over to the humeral side to recreate the shoulder ligaments. Thus far, Dr. MacDonald said, the surgery seems to have been effective in keeping the shoulder from falling out of place. Up to now, the treatment for EDS has been to stretch the ligaments ever tighter to keep joints together. In extreme cases, surgeons will fuse joints shut, and sufferers can end up in a wheelchair. While Dr. MacDonald sees other EDS sufferers, he is not at present considering transplants for any of them.
Transplants remain an option for the future though.