arthrogryposis multiplex congenita

arthrogryposis multiplex congenita

Etymology: Gk, arthron + gryposis, joint curve; L, multus, many, plica, fold, congenitus, born with

fibrous stiffness of one or more joints, present at birth. It is often associated with incomplete development of the muscles that move the involved joints and degenerative changes of the motor neurons that innervate those muscles. The cause of the condition, which is uncommon, is unknown, although possible causes are fetal crowding and maternal neuromuscular disease. Physiotherapy to loosen the joints is the only treatment. Also called amyoplasia congenita [əmī′ōplā′zhə] .

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arthrogryposis

1. persistent flexion of a joint.

2. tetanoid spasm.

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congenital arthrogryposis with dysraphism

arthrogryposis with delayed or arrested closure of the neural tube. Called also arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. See also complex vertebral malformation.

arthrogryposis and hydranencephaly

see akabane virus disease.

inherited arthrogryposis

occurs in catle, pigs and sheep. In cattle it is commonly associated with cleft palate, sometimes with other skeletal defects and also prolonged gestation.

lupine-induced arthrogryposis

occurs in calves whose dams have ingested Lupinus spp. that contain the teratogenic alkaloids anagyrine and/or ammodendrine between 35 and 100 days gestation. These alkaloids impair the natural active movement of the developing fetus so that it grows in a static state resulting in deformities of the limbs. Many western lupine species, bitter lupines, contain these teratogenic alkaloids but they are usually not palatable and not eaten. The alkaloid conine in Conium maculatum can also produce this syndrome.

arthrogryposis multiplex congenita

see congenital arthrogryposis with dysraphism (above).