Management of the knees in arthrogryposis

Arthrogryposis is defined as limited range of motion in three or more joints in two or more body parts. This article will describe treatment options for the arthrogrypotic knee. In all types of arthrogryposis, and in both extension and flexion deformities, very early treatment is favorable. Just after birth, traction and mobilization followed by serial casting could often greatly improve the range of motion. In the hyperextended knee, surgical lengthening of the extensor apparatus may be needed. Flexion deformities could be improved with temporary physeal arrest of the anterior distal femur by fixing two-hole plates over the physis on both sides of patella. The plates will result in a constrained growth of the anterior physis, and thus a very slow extension of the knee, which will give the nerves and vessels time to adjust. Pterygium, webbing of the knee joint, is a special subgroup that in selected mild cases could be treated with extensive surgical release of the webbing and orthotics. Arthrogrypotic knees can be treated with early reduction and maintenance with orthotics.