Treatments for congenital multiple arthrogriposis
Treatment of congenital multiple arthrogriposis includes orthopedic surgeries and physiotherapy sessions, as well as the use of sleeping splints, but in addition, the child’s parents or caregivers must carefully manage rigid joints to improve their movements.
- Congenital multiple arthrogriposis is a condition characterized by the fusion of one or more joints.
- Which does not allow the baby to bend elbows.
- Fingers or knees.
- For example.
- A characteristic and important sign is the loss of the normal contour of the limbs.
- That have a tubular look.
- The skin is generally shiny and the absence of wrinkles is common.
- This disorder is sometimes accompanied by laxity of the hips.
- Knees or elbows.
- Learn about the causes and diagnosis of this disease here.
Thus, for treatment, it may be recommended to
Your pediatrician may recommend the use of sleeping splints, which can prevent increased contractures, improve the position of affected joints, which can facilitate movement and mobilization in physical therapy the next day.
Orthopedic surgery may be indicated to correct cases of congenital zambo foot, severe knee flexion, shoulder dislocation, hip or other situations where joint flexibility, such as capsules, ligaments, and fibrous muscles, can be improved. scoliosis, it may be advisable to place a device that attaches the spine to the sacrum, when the angle of scoliosis is greater than 40o.
A child with arthrogriposis may have more than one surgery in his or her life, and physiotherapy is always recommended before and after surgery, with a minimum of 30 pre- and postoperative sessions.
Physical therapy should be done especially before and shortly after surgery, but it is also indicated at other times in life and can be performed from birth to when the person wants it.
Preferably, physical therapy should be done twice a week, with sessions of approximately 1 hour, but in addition, it is necessary for parents or caregivers to perform passive exercises and stimulation at home, which were guided by the physical therapist during the consultation. The child should be evaluated personally, as there is no protocol that is appropriate for all cases of arthrogriposis, but some treatments are always indicated, such as:
To perform these steps, the physical therapist must be very creative, invent many games that can achieve these goals, in order to provide greater independence for personal care, such as teaching to brush his teeth and combing his hair, and improving the child’s relationship with others. self-esteem and quality of life.
Physical therapy can reduce the need for orthopedic surgery called arthrodesis, which involves permanently joining a joint, preventing its movement for life.
Despite the child’s movement limitations, most have a seemingly normal life. 75% of affected children are able to walk, even on crutches or wheelchairs, and are prone to the same diseases as most of the population. have movement limitations, they must have a low calorie, sugar and fat diet to avoid being overweight, which can make it even more difficult to move.
Arthrogriposis has no cure, but it is also not progressive, so the affected joints that a child presents at birth are exactly the same as they will require lifetime treatment; however, healthy joints can also suffer from the child’s natural compensation for safeguarding the defective joint, so there may be cases of pain and tendinitis in joints unaffected by arthrogriposis, for example.