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Bendy Bodies with Dr. Linda BluesteinOn Hypermobility & Connective Tissue Disorders Author: Dr. Linda Bluestein
Whether youre bendy with all the benefits or hurting in all the wrong places, youve come to the right place for all things hypermobility. Connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) are often dismissed or overlooked by healthcare providers as a cause of chronic pain. But if you or someone you care about struggles with the life-altering symptoms of hypermobility, you should know YOU ARE NOT ALONE! At the Bendy Bodies Podcast, we understand. Each week, join Dr. Linda Bluestein (The Hypermobility MD) as she pulls back the curtain on how to prevent injury and unnecessary suffering in double-jointed individuals seeking a more comfortable life in their unique, complex bendy bodies. When you tune in, youre engaging in more than a podcast. Both on-air and online, youre joining a supportive community where patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals trade insights, life hacks, and inspiring stories to embrace our Bendy Bodies journey together! Language: en-us Genres: Education, Health & Fitness, Medicine, Self-Improvement Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Hand Pain, Numbness & Weakness in EDS: Missed Nerve Problems with Dr. William Ericson | Ep 214
Thursday, 17 September, 2026
What if your hand pain, numbness, weakness, or grip problems aren’t actually coming from your hand or wrist? Orthopedic hand surgeon William Ericson, MD, joins Dr. Linda Bluestein to explain why people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and hypermobility may experience overlooked median nerve entrapment near the elbow, carpal tunnel-like symptoms, thumb arthritis, and thoracic outlet syndrome—even when standard imaging or nerve testing doesn’t reveal the answer. Dr. Ericson, co-author of the 2017 American Journal of Medical Genetics article on orthopedic management of the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, shares what he has learned from more than three decades of treating patients with complex upper-extremity symptoms. Why can someone have significant hand pain, weakness, numbness, tingling, or loss of grip strength even when imaging or standard nerve testing looks normal? Dr. Ericson describes a pattern of proximal median nerve entrapment near the elbow that he believes is extremely common in people with EDS and may frequently be mistaken for carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, or unexplained pain. He explains how median nerve dysfunction can change the way the hand pinches and grips, potentially placing excessive stress on the thumb and contributing to thumb arthritis over time. He also discusses whether identifying and treating the underlying nerve problem could help reduce that risk. The conversation expands beyond the hand and wrist to the relationship between hypermobility, shoulder instability, scapular protraction, and thoracic outlet syndrome. Dr. Ericson explains why improving shoulder and scapular mechanics may sometimes be more important than operating directly on the thoracic outlet. You’ll also hear an important discussion about cortisone injections in EDS and hypermobility, including why injections may be appropriate for true tendon inflammation but potentially problematic when the underlying issue is joint instability. Just as importantly, Dr. Ericson explains why he evaluates the whole person before recommending surgery—including posture, shoulder mechanics, thoracic outlet involvement, stress, and mental health—and why persistent symptoms after surgery may sometimes reflect an unrecognized problem farther upstream. The episode closes with advice for anyone living with symptoms that have been difficult to explain: a good clinician does not have to know everything. Sometimes the most important words a healthcare professional can say are, “I don’t know—but I believe you, and I’ll help you figure out what comes next.” Want more of Dr. William Ericson? Website: https://www.williamericsonmd.com/ Ericson Hand and Nerve Center: https://ericsonhand.com/ Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD?Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcastX: https://twitter.com/BluesteinLindaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/Newsletter: https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/Shop my Amazon store https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymdDr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.orgUVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinicUVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! Learn more about Human Content at http://www.human-content.com Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: sales@human-content.com Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Go http://www.AquaTru.com now for 20% off (your purifier) using promo code BENDY. FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Chapter: 00:00 Median Nerve Shocker00:29 Meet Dr Erickson01:47 Why He Focuses on EDS06:14 Listening Changed Everything13:52 Common Upper Extremity Complaints19:58 Median Nerve Elbow Explained25:06 Misdiagnosis and Thumb Arthritis28:16 Surgery Decision Protocol31:30 Ergonomics and Tool Hacks33:09 When Surgery Makes Sense33:57 Thoracic Outlet Surgery Risks35:29 Scapular Protraction Fix38:26 Red Flags Before Operating45:24 Activities That Trigger Symptoms47:30 Best Exercises for EDS50:05 Clinician Pitfalls and Wrap-Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
