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What is Craniocervical Instability? Explained by The Pain Relief Foundation

key information

source: The Pain Relief Foundation

summary/abstract:

Craniocervical Instability (CCI), also known as the Syndrome of Occipitoatlantialaxial Hypermobility, is a structural instability of the craniocervical junction which may lead to apathological deformation of the brainstem, upper spinal cord, and cerebellum. It primarily occurs in patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and other hereditary disorders of connective tissue.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndome (EDS) is a genetic connective tissue disorder that is caused by a defect in the structure, production, or processing of collagen or proteins that interact with collagen. Collagen is kind of like your body’s glue -it is what holds your skin, joints, blood vessels, and other major organs in place. It typically presents itself in childhood or young adulthood with hypermobile joints prone to misalignment, stretchy skin that tears easily, and fragile blood vessels prone to cardiovascular complications (such as aneurysms).

EDS is currently considered to be a rare disease as it affects approximately 1 in 5000 people world wide (however, due to it’s vast underdiagnosis, a presumed frequency of 1 in 200 has been proposed).

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