Orthotic Management of Patient with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita - A Case Study

Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC) is a syndrome characterized by non-progressive multiple congenital joint contractures. The etiology of disease is multi factorial. It is most commonly suspected from absent fetal movements and genetic defects. Great number of pathological processes causing immobilization of limbs of a fetus during or shortly after the embryonic formation of joints may result in AMC. Rehabilitation should be started in early stage for functional independence. Patient with AMC may have lower extremity contractures or upper extremity contractures or both. Lower extremity contractures and muscle weakness are common in AMC. Consequences of muscle weakness and joint contractures in the lower limb influences walking ability of the person. Severity of contractures and pattern of deformities will change from person to person depending on the prenatal conditions. As there is no fix pattern of deformities designing of orthoses is very crucial part and it should be done by keeping in view individual person. Before designing any orthotic design, basic consideration should be given to the available range of joint movement, severity of contractures, age of the patient and their personal and professional requirements. The aim of this study was to develop the custom-made orthotic design for AMC patient. Though it is an external support hence called as Orthoses but most of the times to compensate for the limb length shortening prosthetic components are also used. As it is a combination of orthoses and prostheses hence also referred as Extension Ortho-Prosthesis.