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Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Long-term follow-up from birth until skeletal maturity

  • Original Clinical Article
  • Published:
Journal of Children's Orthopaedics

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this retrospective long-term study was to review and present the effects of treatment for 11 children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenital, or amyoplasia, followed from birth until skeletal maturity.

Methods

We evaluated walking ability, age of beginning to walk, required ambulatory devices, age of independent walking and muscle strength.

Results

Our series showed babies with severe limb involvements without spine abnormalities. Despite the initial severity of involvement, nine patients finally became ambulators with flexion contracture of less than 20° on hips and 15° on knees, and six were independent walkers before the age of 2.5 years. The two non-ambulators presented severe scoliosis at skeletal maturity, which needed spinal fusion.

Conclusion

We conclude that long-term ambulatory status at skeletal maturity is not correlated with the severity of condition at birth. A prognosis for ambulation at skeletal maturity will be done before 2.5 years of age. We believe that early aggressive management of children with severe arthrogryposis is warranted and justified.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank François Fassier MD, Reggie Hamdy MD, Mehdi Aarabi MD and Tasima Haque from the Shriners Hospital for Children, McGill University, Canada, for their help with the preparation of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université de Lyon, Faculté Laennec, Hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant, 59, Boulevard Pinel, 69677, Bron Cedex, France

    Alice Fassier

  2. Hôpital Saint Vincent de Paul, Université René Descartes, 74–82, Avenue Denfert-Rochereau, 75674, Paris Cedex 14, France

    Philippe Wicart, Jean Dubousset & Raphaël Seringe

Authors
  1. Alice Fassier
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  2. Philippe Wicart
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  3. Jean Dubousset
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  4. Raphaël Seringe
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Correspondence to Alice Fassier.

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Fassier, A., Wicart, P., Dubousset, J. et al. Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Long-term follow-up from birth until skeletal maturity. J Child Orthop 3, 383–390 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11832-009-0187-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11832-009-0187-4

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