Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Also called: EDS, hypermobility syndrome
What it means
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders that affect collagen, leading to overly flexible joints, stretchy skin, and sometimes fragile tissues, including bone.
EDS involves collagen, a core building block of bone, so it can affect both bone strength and joint stability as you age.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is actually a group of related conditions, with different subtypes affecting collagen in slightly different ways. The most common form, hypermobile EDS, causes joints to move beyond a normal range and skin to be soft or stretchy. Other subtypes can involve more serious effects on blood vessels or internal organs, so diagnosis and subtype matter.
Because collagen is also a key building block of bone, some people with EDS may have bones that are less dense or more fragile than average, and joint instability can raise the risk of falls. This combination means both bone strength and joint safety deserve attention as people with EDS get older.
If you have EDS, your doctor may want to track bone density over time and think carefully about exercise choices, since very loose joints can make some movements riskier. Any decisions about testing, supplements, or exercise programs are best made together with a doctor familiar with your specific subtype.
EDS affects collagen, a core bone building block, which can impact both bone strength and joint stability.
Where this leads
WordEDS shows how collagen issues affect bone. Want to see another genetic condition where fragile collagen makes bones break more easily?
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Education only, not medical advice. Decisions about tests, medications and treatment belong with your own doctor. OsteoStrong does not diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
