AMYOPLASIA, THE MOST COMMON TYPE OF ARTHROGRYPOSIS - THE POTENTIAL FOR GOOD OUTCOME

Background. Amyoplasia is the most commonly seen diagnostic subgroup o f children with arthrogryposis. The natural history of these children has not been well described previously. Methods. Review of the medical records of 38 children with amyoplasia enabled us to describe their b irth characteristics, therapeutic interventions, and functional outcom es. Results. Eighty-four percent of the children had symmetrical, four -limb involvement, which was similar to the original descriptions of a myoplasia, at birth. There was an average of 5.7 orthopedic procedures per child, and the children had multiple castings and splintings of t heir limbs and participated in physical and occupational therapy on a regular basis. By the age of 5 years, 85% were ambulatory, most were r elatively or completely independent in their activities of daily livin g, and most were in regular classrooms at the appropriate grade level. Conclusion. Although children with amyoplasia have pronounced musculo skeletal involvement at birth, which requires orthopedic and rehabilit ative interventions during their childhood, their functional outcome i n both physical and educational areas is excellent.