A 23-year-old with chronic pain and fainting spells - A clinical vignette

Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2024 Jan 23. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002416. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Care for and clinical presentation of patients with connective tissue disorders, specifically Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, is poorly understood. Diagnosis can often take years, and comprehensive care can be difficult to coordinate for these patients. This vignette aims to show the clinical characteristics of a young female with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos, as well as the evaluation of her diagnostic presentation and subsequent treatment. The demographic data of this population is yet to be established, and as it can vary widely between individuals, it is important to recognize symptoms that distinguish this disorder from others with similar presentations. Education of physicians on this syndrome will allow earlier recognition of symptoms and lead to better outcomes of these patients overall.