Arthrogryposis
Arthrogryposis (AMC) describes congenital joint contracture in two or more areas of the body. It derives its name from Greek, literally meaning 'curving of joints' (arthron, 'joint'; grȳpōsis, late Latin form of late Greek grūpōsis, 'hooking').
| Arthrogryposis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) |
| Drawing of an infant with arthrogryposis | |
| Specialty | Medical genetics |
Children born with one or more joint contractures have abnormal fibrosis of the muscle tissue causing muscle shortening, and therefore are unable to perform active extension and flexion in the affected joint or joints.
AMC has been divided into three groups: amyoplasia, distal arthrogryposis, and syndromic. Amyoplasia is characterized by severe joint contractures and muscle weakness. Distal arthrogryposis mainly involves the hands and feet. Types of arthrogryposis with a primary neurological or muscle disease belong to the syndromic group.