Understanding How Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Affects the Hands & Wrists
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome encompasses a group of inherited connective tissue disorders that affect collagen throughout the body. While the condition impacts multiple body systems, the hands and wrists often bear a disproportionate burden due to their complex anatomy and constant use in daily activities. At Macomb Hand Surgery with offices in both Macomb & Oakland County, board-certified hand surgeon Dr. Uzma Rehman helps patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome understand how the condition affects their hands and what treatment options can improve function and reduce pain.
The small joints of the hands and wrists contain numerous ligaments, tendons, and joint capsules that rely on strong collagen for stability and function. When Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome weakens these collagen-based structures, patients experience hypermobility, chronic pain, and instability that significantly impacts daily life. Understanding these effects empowers patients to seek appropriate care and make informed decisions about their treatment.
What Is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome results from genetic mutations affecting collagen production or structure. Collagen serves as the primary building block for connective tissues throughout the body, providing strength and elasticity to skin, ligaments, tendons, blood vessels, and internal organs. When collagen is defective, these tissues become fragile, overly stretchy, or prone to injury. According to the Ehlers-Danlos Society, the condition affects approximately 1 in 5,000 people, though many cases remain undiagnosed.
Several types of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome exist, with hypermobile EDS being the most common. This form primarily affects joints, causing excessive flexibility that may seem like an advantage but actually leads to joint instability, chronic pain, and frequent injuries. Other types affect skin elasticity, blood vessel integrity, or cause more severe systemic complications.
Board-certified hand surgeon Dr. Uzma Rehman with offices in both Macomb & Oakland County understands the unique challenges Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome presents and provides specialized care addressing hand and wrist manifestations of this complex condition.
How Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Causes Hand and Wrist Problems
The hands contain 27 bones connected by numerous small joints, all stabilized by ligaments that depend on healthy collagen for strength. In patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, these ligaments stretch beyond normal limits, allowing joints to move into positions that cause pain, damage cartilage, and accelerate arthritis development. Fingers may bend backward excessively, thumbs may hyperextend dramatically, and wrists may feel unstable during normal activities.
Joint hypermobility in the hands leads to frequent subluxations, where joints partially dislocate and then return to position. These subluxations cause acute pain, damage joint structures over time, and contribute to the chronic pain that plagues many Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome patients. Activities requiring grip strength, fine motor control, or sustained hand positions become increasingly difficult and painful.
The tendons connecting muscles to bones also suffer from collagen deficiency in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Patients experience frequent tendonitis, tendon injuries, and difficulty with activities requiring repetitive hand movements. The healing process takes longer due to defective collagen, making recovery from injuries more prolonged and incomplete.
At Macomb Hand Surgery with offices in both Macomb & Oakland County, Dr. Uzma Rehman evaluates hand and wrist manifestations of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome to develop appropriate treatment strategies for each patient.
Symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in the Hands
Hand symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome typically include chronic joint pain, excessive finger flexibility, frequent joint subluxations, and difficulty with grip strength and endurance. Patients often report that their hands fatigue quickly during activities and that pain worsens throughout the day with use. Many notice their fingers bending backward at angles that alarm others or that their thumbs can touch their forearms.
Fine motor tasks become increasingly challenging for patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome affecting the hands. Writing, buttoning clothes, using utensils, and manipulating small objects may cause pain or prove difficult due to joint instability. Many patients develop compensatory movement patterns that help them function but may cause additional strain on other structures.
Skin manifestations often accompany joint symptoms in the hands. The skin may appear thin, translucent, or velvety and may bruise easily or heal slowly after cuts or injuries. These skin changes reflect the same collagen deficiency affecting joints and tendons.
Board-certified hand surgeon Dr. Uzma Rehman with offices in both Macomb & Oakland County recognizes the constellation of symptoms indicating Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome involvement in the hands and provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment.
Conservative Treatment for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Hand Problems
Conservative management forms the foundation of treatment for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome affecting the hands. Hand therapy with a certified hand therapist teaches strengthening exercises that stabilize hypermobile joints through improved muscular support. Therapists also provide education on joint protection techniques, activity modification, and ergonomic strategies that reduce strain on vulnerable structures.
Splinting and bracing provide external support for unstable joints, reducing pain and preventing subluxations during activities. Custom ring splints stabilize finger joints while allowing functional movement, and wrist braces support the carpal joints during demanding tasks. These devices don’t cure the underlying Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome but significantly improve daily function and comfort.
Pain management strategies including appropriate medications, activity pacing, and ergonomic modifications help patients maintain quality of life despite chronic symptoms. Many patients benefit from occupational therapy that teaches adaptive techniques and recommends assistive devices for challenging tasks.
At Macomb Hand Surgery with offices in both Macomb & Oakland County, Dr. Uzma Rehman coordinates conservative treatment approaches that address the specific hand and wrist problems each Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome patient experiences.
Surgical Options for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Hand Conditions
Surgery may become necessary when conservative treatments fail to adequately manage Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome symptoms or when structural damage requires repair. Surgical options include joint stabilization procedures, tendon repairs, and treatment of secondary conditions like arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome that develop due to joint instability and abnormal mechanics.
Surgical planning for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome patients requires special considerations due to tissue fragility and healing challenges. Surgeons experienced with connective tissue disorders understand that standard surgical techniques may need modification, that tissues may not hold sutures as securely, and that recovery timelines may extend beyond typical expectations.
Board-certified hand surgeon Dr. Uzma Rehman with offices in both Macomb & Oakland County has experience treating Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome patients surgically when necessary, understanding the unique considerations these cases require.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Doctor | Oakland County
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome significantly impacts hand and wrist function through joint hypermobility, ligament laxity, and tendon vulnerability caused by defective collagen. Understanding how this condition affects the hands helps patients recognize symptoms, seek appropriate care, and make informed treatment decisions. Both conservative approaches and surgical options exist to improve function and reduce pain for patients living with this challenging condition.
At Macomb Hand Surgery with offices in both Macomb & Oakland County, board-certified hand surgeon Dr. Uzma Rehman provides specialized care for patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome affecting the hands and wrists. If hypermobility, chronic pain, or joint instability is impacting your hand function, schedule an appointment to explore treatment options tailored to your specific needs.
