Arthrogryposis Workup
- Author: Harold Chen, MD, MS, FAAP, FACMG; Chief Editor: Bruce Buehler, MD more...
Laboratory Studies
- In general, laboratory tests are not extremely useful in arthrogryposis.
- Obtain creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels when the following conditions are present:
- Generalized weakness
- Doughy or decreased muscle mass
- Progressive worsening
- Viral cultures may reveal an infectious process.
- Immunoglobulin M levels and specific viral titers (eg, coxsackievirus, enterovirus, Akabane virus) in the newborn may reveal intrauterine infection.
- Maternal antibodies to neurotransmitters in the infant may indicate myasthenia gravis.
- Cytogenetic study is indicated in the following situations:
- Multiple organ or system involvement
- Presence of CNS abnormalities, such as microcephaly, MR, lethargy, degenerative changes, or eye anomalies
- Consider performing a fibroblast chromosome study if lymphocyte chromosome levels are normal and the patient has mental retardation (MR) without diagnosis.
- Nuclear DNA mutation analysis is used to identify certain disorders, such as spinal muscular dystrophy.
- Mitochondrial mutation analysis is used to identify certain disorders, such as mitochondrial myopathy.
Imaging Studies
- Use photography to document the extent of deformities (range of motion and position of arthrogryposis) and to assess progress during treatment.
- Use radiography to evaluate the following skeletal and joint abnormalities:
- Bony abnormalities (eg, gracile bones, fusions, extra or missing carpals and tarsals)
- Disproportionately short stature (ie, skeletal dysplasias)
- Scoliosis
- Ankylosis
- Absence of patella
- Humeroradial synostosis
- Ultrasonography can help in evaluating the CNS and other viscera for anomalies. Ultrasonography also establishes potential muscle tissue.
- CT scanning can be used to evaluate the CNS and the muscle mass.
- MRI can be used to evaluate muscle mass obscured by contractures.
- Prenatal ultrasonography can be used to discover the following:
- Decreased fetal movement
- Abnormal fetal lie
- Polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios
Other Tests
- Perform an ophthalmologic evaluation for opacity and retinal degeneration.
Procedures
- Skin biopsy should be performed for culture of fibroblasts to be used for chromosome analysis.
- Muscle biopsy
- Muscle biopsy is probably the most important diagnostic procedure. It should be included in all autopsies and at time of surgery.
- Distinguish myopathic from neuropathic conditions by obtaining muscle specimens from normal and affected areas.
- Special histopathologic and electron micrographic studies are used to evaluate fatty and connective tissue replacement of muscle fibers and variations in fiber size, such as decreased fiber diameter. All are nonspecific signs of muscle atrophy.
- Electromyography (EMG) of normal and affected areas is useful in differentiating neurogenic and myopathic causes.
- Nerve conduction tests measure conduction velocities in motor and sensory nerves; these should be performed when a peripheral neuropathy is suspected.
- An autopsy should be performed to discover more about the following:
- CNS (ie, brain neuropathology)
- Spinal cord (number and size of anterior horn cells, presence or absence of tracts at various levels)
- Ganglia and peripheral nerves
- Eye (ie, neuropathology)
- Muscle tissue from different muscle groups (ie, electron microscopy and special stains)
- Fibrous bands replacing muscle
- Tendon attachments
- Other visceral anomalies, malformations, deformations, and disruptions
Histologic Findings
Neurogenic types of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
- Muscle fiber type predominance or disproportion is the most common neurogenic abnormality in arthrogryposis (26%). These are nonspecific alterations. Dysgenesis of the motor nuclei of the spinal cord and brainstem involves the replacement of fasciculi of muscle fibers by small muscle fibers and adipose tissue. Examples include Pierre-Robin syndrome and Möbius syndrome.
- Dysgenesis of the CNS is the second most common neurogenic abnormality in arthrogryposis (23%), with disorganization of neurons and a decrease in neurons of the cortex and motor nuclei of the brainstem and spinal cord. Clinical syndromes associated with this abnormality include trisomy 18, partial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 18 syndrome, and Zellweger syndrome.
- Dysgenesis of the anterior horn, another common neurogenic abnormality in arthrogryposis, is the cause of Meckel-Gruber syndrome and anencephaly.
- Spinal muscular atrophy (eg, Werdnig-Hoffmann disease) is another neurogenic abnormality in arthrogryposis.
Myopathic types of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
- Central core disease is a form of arthrogryposis in which the central portion of each muscle fiber contains a zone in which oxidative enzyme activity is absent.
- Nemaline myopathy is indicated by abnormal threadlike structures in muscle cells. In type I nemaline myopathy, nemaline rods are present. In type II, the number of fibers with central nuclei is increased.
- Congenital muscular dystrophy is indicated by muscle fibers that demonstrate a rounded configuration and conspicuous variation in diameter. Perimysial and endomysial connective tissues are markedly increased.
- Mitochondrial cytopathy is indicated by numerous ragged-red fibers on muscle biopsy samples. It is associated with CNS abnormalities consistent with mitochondrial disease.
- Myoneural junction abnormality (eg, congenital myasthenia gravis) is another myopathic type of arthrogryposis.
Taricco LD, Aoki SS. Rehabilitation of an adult patient with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita treated with an external fixator. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. May 2009;88(5):431-4. [Medline].
Bamshad M, Van Heest AE, Pleasure D. Arthrogryposis: a review and update. J Bone Joint Surg Am. Jul 2009;91 Suppl 4:40-6. [Medline].
Hall JG. Genetic aspects of arthrogryposis. Clin Orthop. 1985;194:44-53. [Medline].
Darin N, Kimber E, Kroksmark AK, Tulinius M. Multiple congenital contractures: birth prevalence, etiology, and outcome. J Pediatr. Jan 2002;140(1):61-7. [Medline].
Laitinen O, Hirvensalo M. Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Ann Paediatr Fenn. 1966;12:133-138.
Bevan WP, Hall JG, Bamshad M, Staheli LT, Jaffe KM, Song K. Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (amyoplasia): an orthopaedic perspective. J Pediatr Orthop. Jul-Aug 2007;27(5):594-600. [Medline].
Alves PV, Zhao L, Patel PK, Bolognese AM. Arthrogryposis: diagnosis and therapeutic planning for patients seeking orthodontic treatment or orthognathic surgery. J Craniofac Surg. Jul 2007;18(4):838-43. [Medline].
Narkis G, Landau D, Manor E, Ofir R, Birk OS. Genetics of Arthrogryposis: Linkage Analysis Approach. Clin Orthop Relat Res. Dec 28 2006;[Medline].
Narkis G, Ofir R, Landau D, Manor E, Volokita M, Hershkowitz R. Lethal contractural syndrome type 3 (LCCS3) is caused by a mutation in PIP5K1C, which encodes PIPKI gamma of the phophatidylinsitol pathway. Am J Hum Genet. Sep 2007;81(3):530-9. [Medline].
Hall JG. Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita: etiology, genetics, classification, diagnostic approach, and general aspects. J Pediatr Orthop B. Jul 1997;6(3):159-66. [Medline].
Bamshad M, Jorde LB, Carey JC. A revised and extended classification of the distal arthrogryposes. Am J Med Genet. Nov 11 1996;65(4):277-81. [Medline].
Chen H. Multiple Pterygium Syndrome. In: Atlas of Genetic Diagnosis and Counseling. Totowa, New Jersey: Human Press; 2006:702-7.
Chen H, Chang CH, Misra RP. Multiple pterygium syndrome. Am J Med Genet. 1980;7(2):91-102. [Medline].
Escobar V, Bixler D, Gleiser S, Weaver DD, Gibbs T. Multiple pterygium syndrome. Am J Dis Child. Jun 1978;132(6):609-11. [Medline].
Hall JG. The lethal multiple pterygium syndromes. Am J Med Genet. Apr 1984;17(4):803-7. [Medline].
Hall JG, Reed SD, Greene G. The distal arthrogryposes: delineation of new entities--review and nosologic discussion. Am J Med Genet. Feb 1982;11(2):185-239. [Medline].
Entezami M, Runkel S, Kunze J, Weitzel HK, Becker R. Prenatal diagnosis of a lethal multiple pterygium syndrome type II. Case report. Fetal Diagn Ther. Jan-Feb 1998;13(1):35-8. [Medline].
Chen H. Fetal Akinesia Sequence. In: Atlas of Genetic Diagnosis and Counseling. Totowa, New Jersey: Human Press; 2006:398-402.
Chen H, Immken L, Lachman R. Syndrome of multiple pterygia, camptodactyly, facial anomalies, hypoplastic lungs and heart, cystic hygroma, and skeletal anomalies: delineation of a new entity and review of lethal forms of multiple pterygium syndrome. Am J Med Genet. Apr 1984;17(4):809-26. [Medline].
Chen H. Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome. In: Atlas of Genetic Diagnosis and Counseling. Totowa, New Jersey: Human Press; 2006:427-30.
Chen H, Blumberg B, Immken L. The Pena-Shokeir syndrome: report of five cases and further delineation of the syndrome. Am J Med Genet. Oct 1983;16(2):213-24. [Medline].
Chen H, Blackburn WR, Wertelecki W. Fetal akinesia and multiple perinatal fractures. Am J Med Genet. Feb 13 1995;55(4):472-7. [Medline].
Hall JG. Analysis of Pena Shokeir phenotype. Am J Med Genet. Sep 1986;25(1):99-117. [Medline].
Moessinger AC. Fetal akinesia deformation sequence: an animal model. Pediatrics. Dec 1983;72(6):857-63. [Medline].
Staheli LT, Hall JG, Jaffe K, et al. Arthrogryposis: A Text Atlas. New York: Cambridge University Press; 1998.
Navti OB, Kinning E, Vasudevan P, Barrow M, Porter H, Howarth E. Review of perinatal management of arthrogryposis at a large UK teaching hospital serving a multiethnic population. Prenat Diagn. Jan 2010;30(1):49-56. [Medline].
[Guideline] Michaud LJ. Prescribing therapy services for children with motor disabilities. Pediatrics. Jun 2004;113(6):1836-8. [Medline].
Atkins RM, Bell MJ, Sharrard WJ. Pectoralis major transfer for paralysis of elbow flexion in children. J Bone Joint Surg [Br]. Aug 1985;67(4):640-4. [Medline].
Axt MW, Niethard FU, Doderlein L. Principles of treatment of the upper extremity in arthrogryposis multiplex congenita type I. J Pediatr Orthop B. Jul 1997;6(3):179-85. [Medline].
Bamshad M, Bohnsack JF, Jorde LB, Carey JC. Distal arthrogryposis type 1: clinical analysis of a large kindred. Am J Med Genet. Nov 11 1996;65(4):282-5. [Medline].
Banker BQ. Neuropathologic aspects of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Clin Orthop. Apr 1985;(194):30-43. [Medline].
Baty BJ, Cubberley D, Morris C, Carey J. Prenatal diagnosis of distal arthrogryposis. Am J Med Genet. Mar 1988;29(3):501-10. [Medline].
Bayne LG. Hand assessment and management of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Clin Orthop. Apr 1985;(194):68-73. [Medline].
Beals RK. The distal arthrogryposes: a new classification of peripheral contractures. Clin Orthop Relat Res. Jun 2005;203-10. [Medline].
Bennett JB, Hansen PE, Granberry WM. Surgical management of arthrogryposis in the upper extremity. J Pediatr Orthop. May-Jun 1985;5(3):281-6. [Medline].
Bianchi DW, Van Marter LJ. An approach to ventilator-dependent neonates with arthrogryposis. Pediatrics. 1994;94:682-686. [Medline].
Bui TH, Lindholm H, Demir N, Thomassen P. Prenatal diagnosis of distal arthrogryposis type I by ultrasonography. Prenat Diagn. Dec 1992;12(12):1047-53. [Medline].
Carlson WO, Speck GJ, Vicari V. Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. A long-term follow-up study. Clin Orthop. Apr 1985;(194):115-23. [Medline].
Chen H. Lethal Multiple Pterygium Syndrome. In: Atlas of Genetic Diagnosis and Counseling. Totowa, New Jersey: Human Press; 2006:604-12.
Chen H. Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. In: Atlas of Genetic Diagnosis and Counseling. Totowa, New Jersey: Humana Press; 2006:74-83.
Chen H, Blackburn WR, Wertelecki W. Fetal akinesia and multiple perinatal fractures. Am J Med Genet. Feb 13 1995;55(4):472-7. [Medline].
Chen H, Blumberg B, Immken L, Lachman R, Rightmire D, Fowler M. The Pena-Shokeir syndrome: report of five cases and further delineation of the syndrome. Am J Med Genet. Oct 1983;16(2):213-24. [Medline].
Dudkiewicz I, Achiron R, Ganel A. Prenatal diagnosis of distalarthrogryposis type 1. Skeletal Radiol. 1999;28:233-235.
Gericke GS, Hall JG, Nelson MM, Beighton PH. Diagnostic considerations in arthrogryposis syndromes in South Africa. Clin Genet. Feb 1984;25(2):155-62. [Medline].
Gordon N. Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Brain Dev. Oct 1998;20(7):507-511. [Medline].
Guidera KJ, Drennan JC. Foot and ankle deformities in arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Clin Orthop. Apr 1985;(194):93-8. [Medline].
Hahn G. Arthrogryposis. Pediatric review and habilitative aspects. Clin Orthop. Apr 1985;(194):104-14. [Medline].
Hall JG. An approach to congenital contractures (arthrogryposis). Pediatr Ann. Jul 1981;DA - 19811025(7):15-26. [Medline].
Hall JG. An approach to research on congenital contractures. Birth Defects Orig Artic Ser. 1984;20(6):8-30. [Medline].
Hall JG. Arthrogryposes (multiple congenital contractures). In: Principles and Practice of Medical Genetics. Vol 2. 1990:989-1035.
Hall JG. Re: distal arthrogryposis in two sisters born to different fathers [Hwu etal. 2004. Am J Med Genet 125A:100-101.]. Am J Med Genet A. Aug 1 2005;136(4):415. [Medline].
Hall JG. The lethal multiple pterygium syndromes. Am J Med Genet. Apr 1984;17(4):803-7. [Medline].
Hall JG, Reed SD, Driscoll EP. Part I. Amyoplasia: a common, sporadic condition with congenital contractures. Am J Med Genet. Aug 1983;15(4):571-90. [Medline].
Hall JG, Reed SD, McGillivray BC. Part II. Amyoplasia: twinning in amyoplasia--a specific type of arthrogryposis with an apparent excess of discordantly affected identical twins. Am J Med Genet. Aug 1983;15(4):591-9. [Medline].
Hall JG, Reed SD, Rosenbaum KN, Gershanik J, Chen H, Wilson KM. Limb pterygium syndromes: a review and report of eleven patients. Am J Med Genet. Aug 1982;12(4):377-409. [Medline].
Hall JG, Reed SD, Scott CI. Three distinct types of X-linked arthrogryposis seen in 6 families. Clin Genet. Feb 1982;21(2):81-97. [Medline].
Huurman WW, Jacobsen ST. The hip in arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Clin Orthop. Apr 1985;(194):81-6. [Medline].
Hwu WL, Chien YH, Hsu CC. Distal arthrogryposis in two sisters born to different fathers. Am J Med Genet A. Feb 15 2004;125(1):100-1. [Medline].
Jiang M, Bian C, Li X, Man X, Ge W, Han W. Molecular prenatal diagnosis for hereditary distal arthrogryposis type 2B. Prenat Diagn. May 2007;27(5):468-70. [Medline].
Jiang M, Zhao X, Han W, Bian C, Li X, Wang G. A novel deletion in TNNI2 causes distal arthrogryposis in a large Chinese family with marked variability of expression. Hum Genet. Sep 2006;120(2):238-42. [Medline].
Kroksmark AK, Kimber E, Jerre R, Beckung E, Tulinius M. Muscle involvement and motor function in amyoplasia. Am J Med Genet Part A. Aug 15 2006;140(16):1757-67. [Medline].
Letts M, Davidson D. The role of bilateral talectomy in the management of bilateral rigid clubfeet. Am J Orthop. Feb 1999;28(2):106-10. [Medline].
Letts M, Davidson D. The role of bilateral talectomy in the management of bilateral rigid clubfeet. Am J Orthop. Feb 1999;28(2):106-10. [Medline].
McGillivray K, Watson AJ. Congenital arthrogryposis in pregnancy. J Obstet Gynaecol. Mar 2002;22(2):218-9. [Medline].
Mennen U. Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita: functional classification and the AMC disc-o-gram. J Hand Surg [Br]. Aug 2004;29(4):363-7. [Medline].
Mennen U, van Heest A, Ezaki MB. Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. J Hand Surg [Br]. Oct 2005;30(5):468-74. [Medline].
Mennen U, van Heest A, Ezaki MB, Tonkin M, Gericke G. Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. J Hand Surg [Br]. Oct 2005;30(5):468-74. [Medline].
Moerman P, Fryns JP. The fetal akinesia deformation sequence. A fetopathological approach. Genet Couns. 1990;1(1):25-33. [Medline].
Murray C, Fixsen JA. Management of knee deformity in classical arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (amyoplasia congenita). J Pediatr Orthop B. Jul 1997;6(3):186-91. [Medline].
Palmer PM, MacEwen GD, Bowen JR, Mathews PA. Passive motion therapy for infants with arthrogryposis. Clin Orthop Relat Res. Apr 1985;(194):54-9. [Medline].
Porter HJ. Lethal arthrogryposis multiplex congenital (fetal akinesia deformation sequence, FADS). Pediatr Pathol Lab Med. Jul-Aug 1995;15(4):617-37. [Medline].
Sells JM, Jaffe KM, Hall JG. Amyoplasia, the most common type of arthrogryposis: the potential for good outcome. Pediatrics. Feb 1996;97(2):225-31. [Medline].
Shrimpton AE, Hoo JJ. A TNNI2 mutation in a family with distal arthrogryposis type 2B. Eur J Med Genet. Mar-Apr 2006;49(2):201-6. [Medline].
Sodergard J, Hakamies-Blomqvist L, Sainio K. Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita: perinatal and electromyographic findings, disability, and psychosocial outcome. J Pediatr Orthop B. Jul 1997;6(3):167-71. [Medline].
St Clair HS, Zimbler S. A plan of management and treatment results in the arthrogrypotic hip. Clin Orthop Relat Res. Apr 1985;(194):74-80. [Medline].
Staheli LT, Chew DE, Elliott JS. Management of hip dislocations in children with arthrogryposis. J Pediatr Orthop. Nov-Dec 1987;7(6):681-5. [Medline].
Sung SS, Brassington AM, Grannatt K, Rutherford A, Whitby FG, Krakowiak PA. Mutations in genes encoding fast-twitch contractile proteins cause distal arthrogryposis syndromes. Am J Hum Genet. Mar 2003;72(3):681-90. [Medline].
Sung SS, Brassington AM, Krakowiak PA, Carey JC, Jorde LB, Bamshad M. Mutations in TNNT3 cause multiple congenital contractures: a second locus for distal arthrogryposis type 2B. Am J Hum Genet. Jul 2003;73(1):212-4. [Medline].
Thomas B, Schopler S, Wood W, Oppenheim WL. The knee in arthrogryposis. Clin Orthop Relat Res. Apr 1985;(194):87-92. [Medline].
Thompson GH, Bilenker RM. Comprehensive management of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Clin Orthop. Apr 1985;(194):6-14. [Medline].
Williams PF. Management of upper limb problems in arthrogryposis. Clin Orthop Relat Res. Apr 1985;(194):60-7. [Medline].

