Surviving Medical School with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Patient Story Danielle Purtell Her Story Danielle Purtell is a medical student at Tulane University School of Medicine who has survived medical school with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. She will graduate in 2022 and is excited to complete a Family Medicine residency. As someone with chronic illness and invisible disability, Danielle knows firsthand the importance of a strong and compassionate primary care doctor, and is honored by the opportunity to become one. She holds student leadership positions with the Louisiana Academy of Family [...]
Massage Keeps Fascia Healthy
The Art of Massage Working the connective tissue is key Daily massage can provide temporary relief Regular massage is important if you are hypermobile or have a connective tissue disorder, such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Fascia, the supportive connective tissue of the body, surrounds muscle, bones, tendons, ligaments and even internal organs. If there is a problem with fascia in the body it can cause significant pain because fascia has many bundles of nerve fibers that run through it. Interestingly enough, at [...]
Best Shoes for Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Foot Care Stability is key for hypermobility Wearing the proper shoes may change your life Stability is the most important method to treat many connective tissue problems associated with hypermobility spectrum disorders and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Because ligaments, tendons and joints are loose, hypermobile people have to work extra hard to maintain joint stability. Developing a strong basis with a hypermobile-trained physical therapist is key, but there are things you can do to help yourself. To start, wearing the proper shoe is [...]
Ehlers-Danlos Patient Story: Elizabeth Boh
Patient Story Elizabeth Boh Her Story In December 2020, at the age of 59, I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - hypermobility type. I was fortunate to have found and seen Dr. Jacques Courseault, MD, CAQSM, at Tulane University School of Medicine, and he was the one who put all the pieces of the puzzle together and confirmed my diagnosis. Individuals with EDS have a defect in their connective tissue, the tissue that provides support to many body parts, such as the skin, muscles and [...]
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome 101
Hypermobility is a "Thing" Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome 101 Basics of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is an umbrella term for a heterogeneous group of inherited connective tissue disorders characterized by symptoms including, but not limited to, skin hyperextensibility, joint hypermobility, and vascular fragility.1 It is a result of genetic mutations that cause defects in the formation of types I, III, and/or V collagen, which can manifest with pathologies in collagen-rich tissues like skin, tendons, ligaments, joints, and blood vessels.1 The variety of [...]
Next Steps
The Seed Has Been Planted Similar to planting a new plant, you have just planted a seed towards a new life. For you to blossom, it will take nurturing, some pruning, patience and maintenance. Next Steps Thank you for making an appointment request at the Tulane Hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Clinic. We can't wait to meet you! At this time, we have a 12-24-month backlog of appointment requests. We are working to expedite the process. We will contact you within a few [...]