Ehlers Danlos?

[Amy Crawford]

I have a prospective client who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (wfs), specifically the hypermobility type. This kid is 13, plays football, basketball, and lacrosse, is 6'1" and weighs almost 200 pounds. He's quite an athlete.

Last year his shoulders started subluxing, and just a couple of weeks ago he sprained his ankle and knee in a football game. He "stretched" his meniscus ... now as an ATC and someone with a degree in sports medicine, I didn't think this was possible. But apparently because of the change in collagen fibers associated with EDS, it is possible.

What specific cautions should I implement with this kid? Of course I'm going to drill form, form, form before any real weight. But anything else? Any specific no-nos, or conversely, things I definitely should do for this kid?

Thanks folks!

[Steven Low]

Sigificant amounts of prehab work, especially for the stabilizing muscles everywhere

[Everett Steinbarger]

Any young person with Ehler-Danlos should have a complete physical prior to starting any exercise regimen. Make sure your client has had his heart and lungs checked properly.

E-D affects much more that just joint/tendon. There can be significant heart and aorta anomalies.

[Amy Crawford]

He's been cleared to play football, basketball, and other sports. Do you think I need something beyond that?

[Everett Steinbarger]

It depends on who did what kind of clearing.

This is definitely not my area of work, (I do Ortho), but I would want to know that he had a good cardiac work-up prior to starting any form of intense exercise.

IMHO, the work-up to clear a person with E-D should include a proper echocardiogram, (ultrasound), to rule out any anomalous structure involving the heart and aorta.

[Everett Steinbarger]

FYI http://apma-nc.com/PatientEducation/...s_syndrome.htm (WFS)

This website gives a good synopsis of E-D. I thought you might find it useful.

It seems that 90% of E-D patients fall into Type I, II, or III. Type IV is the form that can affect the vascular system. It seems to me that anyone diagnosed with E-D should find out what type they are.

[Amy Crawford]

Thanks a lot Everett. His mom specifically told me he has the hypermobility, Type III. Before I "take him on," I'll definitely try to get in touch with his MD.

Thanks!

[Everett Steinbarger]

That's good to hear. The Type IV is rare but get gets a lot of press because of the horrible conditions that accompany it.

Good luck with your client. Glad I could help.