Wrist problems in patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of hereditary disorders involving collagen synthesis. One hundred patients with EDS were mailed a general questionnaire, containing a detailed section concerning their wrists. Fifty-six percent of patients returned the questionnaire, of which 70% had wrist complaints. Sixteen out of 39 patients with complaints had undergone surgery for these complaints, all with eventual relief of the symptoms. All 18 patients with EDS type III had severe wrist complaints and all of them were unable to work because of these complaints, at a relatively young age. Ten of these patients visited our clinic and all had a severe midcarpal instability, both clinically and on cinematography. All X-rays were normal. This finding should prompt clinicians to make an early diagnosis of EDS with appropriate counseling for future jobs and hobbies.