Joint Hypermobility and It's Co-Morbidities

Dr. Brad Tinkle's presentation at the DOM Grand Rounds addresses the complexities of joint hypermobility syndromes and their comorbidities. He highlights the challenges in diagnosing conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) due to overlapping symptoms and the variability in criteria like the Beighton score for hypermobility assessment. The talk covers the broad spectrum of symptoms, including mechanical issues, joint pain, fatigue, and comorbid conditions such as dysautonomia and orthostatic intolerance. Dr. Tinkle emphasizes the importance of recognizing both the symptomatic and asymptomatic presentations of hypermobility, noting the significant impact on patients' lives due to pain, fatigue, and the emotional and psychological aspects. He advocates for comprehensive management approaches including physical therapy with a focus on proprioception and neuromuscular reconditioning, while also acknowledging the need to validate patients' experiences and work towards functional improvement rather than just targeting pain relief. Dr. Tinkle calls for more precise diagnostic criteria and terminology to improve treatment and patient outcomes.