Local anesthetic resistance in EDS: patient reports, two surveys, and a 2026 trial
People with EDS often report that local anesthetics fail or wear off early. In a survey reported in 2005, 58% of 172 women with joint hypermobility syndrome said a local anesthetic had not been as effective as it should have been, against 21% of 53 age-matched controls without hypermobility. In a 2019 online survey, 88% of 980 people with EDS who had a dental local anesthetic recalled inadequate pain prevention, against 33% of 249 people without EDS. A randomized cross-over trial published in 2026 (135 participants, 91 with EDS) found that fewer participants with EDS still had numbness 15 and 30 minutes after a lidocaine injection, which the authors read as a shorter-lasting effect.
| EDS types | all EDS types |
|---|---|
| Date | 2026-03 |
| Diagnostic criteria | 2017 International Classification |
| Type of practice | Procedures |
| Venues | r/ehlersdanlos, EDS and HSD Support Community (Inspire) |
| Risk note | In the 2026 trial, fewer people with EDS than healthy controls still had numbness 15 and 30 minutes after lidocaine. The authors say clinicians should be aware of this reduced effectiveness and adjust care. |
| Last checked | 2026-09-16 |
Evidence
Anesthetic failure during dental work is a recurring report in these forums.