Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: The Zebra Among Us

PT/PTA partial credit: Hours for partial credit attended will be adjusted on your course certificate and MN board of Approval number removed.  Course approval pending.

OT/OTA: You will receive a certificate of course completion with total CE contact hours.  M HEALTH Fairview is no longer an approved provider through AOTA. For additional information about CE requirements for licensure, please see MN Statute 148.6443: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/148.6443

Course description: This course is a 2.5 hour introduction intended to expand awareness and knowledge of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) including rehabilitation management. EDS is a connective tissue condition that is most often clinically identified as joint hypermobility with recurrent strains/sprains/joint dislocations as well as chronic pain. Course attendees will be educated on diagnostic criteria of EDS, including clinical subtypes. Emphasis on primary issues that can be addressed in rehabilitation includes strengthening, bracing and compensatory training. Common co-morbidities will also be addressed including their impact on rehabilitation interventions. Examples will be geared towards the adult population but have application to pediatrics. 

Becky Horton, DPT, NCS, is a Clinical Specialist 1 in Vestibular Physical Therapy.  Becky graduated from MGH Institute of Health Professions DPT program in 2005.  She earned her Herdman Vestibular certification in 2008 and APTA Neurologic Clinical Specialist certification in 2012.  She has worked in transitional care, acute care, inpatient acute rehabilitation, and outpatient neuro. Becky co-coordinates the M Health Fairview Parkinson's Support Group in Saint Paul. She is an investigator for Muscular Dystrophy research through the Paul & Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center. Becky is involved in system-wide initiatives around vestibular therapy, concussion rehabilitation, and COVID-19. She has been working with patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome for the last 4 years.

Virginia H. O'Brien OTD, OTR/L, CHT is an OT hand therapist working with outpatients of those spanning the full life span, from pediatrics to elderly adults, and is actively involved in clinical and biomechanical research of the thumb and the wrist. She is an active member of MOTA, AOTA and ASHT, and is a published author and reviewer for the Journal of Hand Therapy and Journal of Hand Surgery. She is a past contributing editor for the Year Book of Hand and Upper Limb Surgery from 2012-2017. Virginia is the Hand Therapy Fellowship Clinical Coordinator and works at M Health-Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center Hand Center in Minneapolis, MN, USA. She also owns her own business related to upper limb consultation. Since 2005 she has presented on a hand related topics of a multiplicity of diagnoses to therapists and physicians locally, nationally and internationally.

Objectives: 

• Describe the pathophysiology of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome including clinical subtypes.
• Identify potential signs and symptoms of EDS that may be identified on clinical evaluation.
• Design an effective home exercise program to prevent further injury and maximize function.
• Identify appropriate bracing options to support hypermobile joints, including when to use them.
• Identify appropriate bracing/orthoses options to support hypermobile joints, including when to use them. 

Agenda:  

5:15-5:30 pm  Registration 

5:30-5:45 pm Pathophysiology and Diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome 

5:45-6:15 pm EDS Subtypes and Common Co-Morbidities 

6:15-6:30 pm Rehabilitation evaluation

6:30-7:15 pm Rehabilitation concepts and planning for body area issues 

• SI Joint and hips 
• Neck 
• Shoulders 
• Hand/wrist 
• Elbow 
• Knees 
• Ankles/feet 

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