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EspañolJoint hypermobility
Overly flexible joints, dislocations, repeated sprains. A range of motion greater than normal, sometimes with instability.
Ehlers-Danlos syndromes
Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, or EDS, are a group of hereditary connective tissue disorders. They can notably cause joint hypermobility, tissue fragility and skin changes. Signs vary greatly from one type of EDS to another and from one person to another.
13recognised types
3main signs
2017classification
What is EDS?
Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are a group of 13 hereditary connective tissue disorders. Connective tissue is found throughout the body: it notably helps to support and hold together the skin, joints, blood vessels and many organs.
EDS does not look the same in everyone. Two people with the same type of EDS can have very different symptoms and a very different impact on their lives.
Connective tissue is found throughout the body
That is why EDS can affect several body systems and cause signs throughout the body.
Distinctive skin
Soft, stretchy or thin skin, poor healing, easy bruising. Skin hyperextensibility, skin fragility or unusual scars may be seen in some types.
Tissue fragility
Tissue fragility can lead to bruising, poor wound healing or, in some types, organ fragility (blood vessels, bowel, uterus, gums, eyes). The nature and severity of this fragility vary greatly depending on the type of EDS.
Usual range
Hypermobility
How is EDS diagnosed?
The signs depend on the type of EDS. Diagnosis relies on two complementary elements.
Clinical examination
Beighton score, skin, scars, family history
Genetic test
It confirms 12 of the 13 types
Important: hypermobility, pain or some of these symptoms are not enough, on their own, to diagnose EDS.
2017 international classification
The 13 types of EDS and their features
Hypermobile, classical, vascular… Each type has its own signs, features, genes and mode of inheritance.
Sources and resources
For this page, we rely on specialist resources and recognised medical guidelines.
See also the resources offered by the association to support the people affected and their loved ones.
Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS, French National Authority for Health)
French national diagnosis and care protocol (PNDS): non-vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (2020, in French)
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Santé.fr
The French public health information website: Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (in French)
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Orphanet
The reference portal for rare diseases: Ehlers-Danlos syndromes
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The Ehlers-Danlos Society
Diagnostic criteria and overview of the different types of EDS
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2017 international classification
Reference classification of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes
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Living with EDS
See our page on living with EDS
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AFSED
French Ehlers-Danlos syndromes association (in French)
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Medical information
The content of this page is provided for information only. It does not replace a consultation, a diagnosis or personalised advice from a healthcare professional.
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