Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of 13 inherited collagen disorders. Hypermobile EDS, the most common type, has no known gene and is diagnosed clinically with the 2017 criteria; care centers on stability-focused physical therapy and treating overlaps such as POTS and MCAS.
EDS is diagnosed with the 2017 international criteria: hypermobile EDS needs an age-adjusted Beighton score, two of three feature groups and exclusion of other conditions, while the other 12 subtypes are confirmed by genetic testing.
Twelve of the 13 types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are confirmed by genetic testing, while hypermobile EDS is still diagnosed with the 2017 three part clinical checklist. Updated criteria are due in December 2026, and a fibronectin blood marker is under study.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome treatment manages symptoms rather than the collagen defect, built on hypermobility-informed physical therapy and non-opioid pain care such as low-dose naltrexone. Here is what helps by EDS type, what the evidence shows, and what insurance usually covers.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome symptoms center on hypermobile, painful joints, soft fragile skin and deep fatigue, often with POTS and gut problems. Hypermobile EDS has no genetic test, and diagnosis takes 10 to 12 years on average.
