Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos for the Primary Care Provider

Joint hypermobility is very common in the general population as is arthralgia. Increased awareness of hypermobility and hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) among patients and providers has led to a surge in demand for evaluation. Many patients with hypermobility meet clinical criteria for a diagnosis of hypermobile spectrum disorder (HSD) or hEDS, but monogenic connective tissue diseases (CTD) are rare. Genetic testing is not recommended for patients with HSD/hEDS unless another underlying CTD is suspected. Given the high prevalence of HSD/hEDS in the general population, primary care providers should be familiar with HSD/hEDS evaluation, management, and indication for referral to a CTD specialist.