Arthrogryposis

Arthrogryposis (AMC) is congenital joint contracture in two or more areas of the body. It derives its name from Greek, actually meaning 'curving of joints' (arthron, ἄρθρον, 'joint'; grȳpōsis, late Latin form of late Greek grūpōsis, γρυπῶσις, 'hooking'). 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 (is a syndrome or part of a syndrome). 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.