3. Chronic Pain in Muscles and Joints: The Silent Struggle
Delve into the life of someone with hEDS, and you’ll likely discover a background hum of pain. Chronic pain, particularly in the muscles and joints, is a significant issue. It’s not just the aftermath of a dislocation or strain; it’s an ever-present companion.
Muscle pain arises from the constant effort to stabilize hypermobile joints. Picture the muscles working overtime, contracting and adjusting, to compensate for the laxity of the ligaments. Over time, this can lead to muscle fatigue and spasms.
Joint pain in hEDS isn’t just due to dislocations. There’s also a phenomenon called “subclinical joint inflammation.” Even without overt signs like redness or swelling, there’s an underlying low-grade inflammation in the joints, contributing to the pain.(3)
