Change in gliding properties of the iliotibial tract in hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: Fascial changes in hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (hEDS), a heritable connective tissue disorder, can be used visualized with sonoelastography. The purpose of this study was to explore the inter-fascial gliding characteristics in hEDS. Methods: In 9 subjects, the right iliotibial tract was examined with ultrasonography. Tissue displacements of the iliotibial tract were estimated from ultrasound data using cross-correlation techniques. Results: In hEDS subjects, shear strain was 46.2%, lower than those with lower limb pain without hEDS (89.5%) and in control subjects without hEDS and without pain (121.1%). Conclusion: Extracellular matrix changes in hEDS may manifest as reduced inter-fascial plane gliding.