Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) is a group of disorders that affect the connective tissues in the body. EDS can cause joint pain, skin fragility, and easy bruising.
Moreover, roller skating is a high-impact activity that can aggravate the symptoms of EDS.
For this reason, it is not recommended for people with EDS to roller skate.
what is Ehlers-Danlos Syndromeeds(EDS)?
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a connective tissue disorder that is caused by a defect in the synthesis of collagen.
The most common symptom of EDS is joint hypermobility, which results in increased flexibility and looseness of the joints. This can lead to joint dislocations and chronic pain.
Other symptoms of EDS include skin fragility, easy bruising, and gastrointestinal problems.
Although there is no cure for EDS, but symptomatic treatment can help to improve quality of life.
The Different Types of EDS
Hypermobile EDS (hEDS) is the most common type.
Other types of EDS include classical EDS, vascular EDS and kyphoscoliotic EDS.
1. Hypermobile EDS
People with hEDS may have:
- joint hypermobility
- loose, unstable joints that dislocate easily
- joint pain and clicking joints
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- skin that bruises easily
- digestive problems, such as heartburn and constipation
- dizziness and an increased heart rate after standing up
- problems with internal organs, such as mitral valve prolapse or organ prolapse
- problems with bladder control (stress incontinence)
Currently, there are no tests to confirm whether someone has hEDS.
The diagnosis is made based on a person’s medical history and a physical examination.
2. Classical EDS
Classical EDS (cEDS) is less common than hypermobile EDS and tends to affect the skin more.
People with cEDS may have:
- joint hypermobility
- loose, unstable joints that dislocate easily
- stretchy skin
- fragile skin that can split easily, especially over the forehead, knees, shins and elbows
- smooth, velvety skin that bruises easily
- wounds that are slow to heal and leave wide scars
- hernias and organ prolapse
- Vascular EDS
- Vascular EDS (vEDS) is a rare type of EDS and is often considered to be the most serious.
It affects the blood vessels and internal organs, which can cause them to split open and lead to life-threatening bleeding.
3. vascular EDS
People with vEDS may have:
- skin that bruises very easily
- thin skin with visible small blood vessels, particularly on the upper chest and legs
- fragile blood vessels that can bulge or tear, resulting in serious internal bleeding
- a risk of organ problems, such as the bowel tearing, the womb tearing (in late pregnancy) and partial collapse of the lung
- hypermobile fingers and toes, unusual facial features (such as a thin nose and lips, large eyes and small earlobes), varicose veins and delayed wound healing
4. Kyphoscoliotic EDS
Kyphoscoliotic EDS (kEDS) is rare.
People with kEDS may have:
- curvature of the spine – this starts in early childhood and often gets worse in the teenage years
- joint hypermobility
- loose, unstable joints that dislocate easily
- weak muscle tone from childhood (hypotonia) – this may cause a delay in sitting and walking, or difficulty walking if symptoms get worse
- fragile eyes that can easily be damaged
- soft, velvety skin that is stretchy, bruises easily and scars
how does eDS make roller skating difficult?
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a connective tissue disorder that affects the collagen in the body. This can cause problems with the skin, joints, and muscles. People with EDS often have to be careful with physical activity, as their bodies are more prone to injury.
Roller skating can be a difficult activity for people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
Due to the high impact nature of roller skating can put strain on the joints and muscles, which can lead to pain or injury.
Additionally, the risk of falling is also higher for people with EDS, as they may not have the same balance and coordination as others.
can you roller skating with eDS?
There are many different types of Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS), and each type can present with a different set of symptoms.
While some people with EDS may be able to roller skate, others may not be able to due to pain or instability.
Although it’s not advisable to roller skates if you have EDS, But if you really want to, then you should consult with your doctor before attempting any new physical activity such as roller skating, as this activities may worsen your symptoms.
And those who have joint instability or pain may not be able to roller skate, as the impact on the joints can be too much.
However, those with milder forms of EDS or those who have good joint stability may be able to enjoy this activity.
If you have EDS and would like to try roller skating, speak to your doctor first and start off slowly.
More importantly! Warming up before skating and cooling down afterwards can help reduce the risk of injury.
what you should becareful when you roller skating with eDS?
If you have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), there are some things you need to be careful of when you go roller skating.
First, because EDS can cause joint dislocation, it’s important to wear supportive gloves and wrist guards.
Second, EDS can also cause problems with skin integrity, so you need to take care not to fall and scrape or bruise yourself.
Next, be sure to warm up before skating and cool down afterwards to avoid making your symptoms worse.
Finally, listen to your body – if something hurts, stop skating and rest.
With a little care, you can enjoy roller skating while staying safe with EDS.
Conclusion
Roller skating is a great recreational activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
However, people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromeeds (EDS) are advisable not to participate in this activity due to the increased risk of injury.
There are many different types of EDS, and each type can affect the body in different ways.
For people with EDS often have very loose joints, which can make them more susceptible to dislocations and other injuries.
Not only that, they also often have thin, fragile skin that is easily bruised or torn.
having said that, Due to the increased risk of injury, people with EDS should not participate in roller skating.
However, there are actually many other recreational activities out there that you can enjoy without putting themselves at risk.
