What are the characteristics of foot fractures in patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)?

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From the Research

Characteristics of Foot Fractures in EDS Patients

  • Foot fractures in patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) are often related to the altered biomechanics of the foot and ankle, as well as the inherent connective tissue disorder that characterizes EDS 1, 2.
  • Studies have shown that patients with EDS have a higher prevalence of foot problems, including pain, deformities, and limited functionality in the feet 1, 2.
  • The type of foot in EDS patients can vary, with some studies showing a high percentage of flat feet, normal feet, and cavus feet 2.
  • EDS patients have been found to have altered multisegment ankle and foot kinematics during gait, including a hypermobile first ray, increased eversion position of the medial forefoot, and increased dorsiflexion in the medial and lateral forefoot and rearfoot 1.

Bone Characteristics in EDS Patients

  • EDS patients have been found to have reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and bone quality, as measured by trabecular bone score (TBS) 3, 4.
  • Studies have also shown that EDS patients have a higher prevalence of fractures, including vertebral fractures and low-impact fractures 3, 4, 5.
  • The bone characteristics of EDS patients are thought to be related to the inherent connective tissue disorder, as well as factors such as reduced mechanical loading and immobility 3, 5.

Clinical Implications

  • The high prevalence of foot problems and fractures in EDS patients highlights the need for regular assessment and management of bone health in these patients 4, 2.
  • Clinicians should be aware of the altered biomechanics of the foot and ankle in EDS patients and take this into account when assessing and managing foot problems 1.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the characteristics of foot fractures in EDS patients and to develop effective management strategies for these patients 3, 4, 1, 2, 5.

References

Research

Higher fracture prevalence and smaller bone size in patients with hEDS/HSD-a prospective cohort study.

Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA, 2020

Research

Bone involvement in adult patients affected with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA, 2016

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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