Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita?
Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita is usually treated by a team of doctors. The team often includes a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, a children's bone and joint doctor. A medical geneticist, a doctor who treats inherited conditions, and a neurologist, a nerve doctor, may also help. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is arthrogryposis multiplex congenita?
Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) is a term for a group of conditions present at birth that cause joint contractures in two or more joints. A contracture means a joint is stuck in a bent or straightened position. That limits how it can move. AMC covers more than 400 different conditions, so it is a description, not one single diagnosis.
Symptoms
The main symptom is limited movement around affected joints, which may be bent or straightened. Other signs can include:
- Muscle weakness, which may be present or absent.
- Underdeveloped muscles, so limbs can look tube-shaped.
- Spinal deformities, at birth or later in childhood.
- Clubfoot, a foot turned inward and upward, and sometimes hip dislocation.
Symptoms vary widely from person to person. Thinking and learning are usually normal unless the brain is involved. In the distal forms, which mainly affect the hands and feet, the contractures also differ a lot between people. Some cases come from gene changes in muscle cells.
Causes and who gets it
The main cause is believed to be decreased fetal movement during pregnancy. Joints need movement to develop normally. Without it, extra connective tissue can form around a joint and fix it in place. Connective tissue is the material that holds body tissues together. Reasons for less movement include fetal crowding, low amniotic fluid, maternal illness or infections, and problems with the baby's nerves or muscles. Some cases come from inherited gene changes. In many patients, the exact cause cannot be found. AMC affects about 1 in 3,000 people. Boys and girls are affected about equally.
How doctors diagnose it
A doctor looks for the typical symptoms, takes a detailed history, and does a careful exam. Tests may be needed to find the cause. A nerve conduction study measures how fast nerves carry electrical signals. EMG stands for electromyography. It records the electrical activity of muscles. A muscle biopsy takes a small piece of muscle to study. Scans of the brain and spinal cord and genetic tests may also be used.
Treatment
Treatment is matched to each person. Physical therapy can improve joint motion and prevent muscle loss. It often starts soon after birth. Gentle joint stretching and splints for the knees and feet are recommended. Serial casting can help. A series of casts slowly moves a stiff joint. Some patients need surgery to improve the position and motion of certain joints. Rarely, a tendon is moved to improve muscle function. A tendon is the tissue that connects muscle to bone. A team approach works best. The team may include a children's doctor, a nerve doctor, a bone and joint doctor, and a genetics doctor.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor right away if a newborn has stiff, bent, or straightened joints in more than one area, or a foot turned inward and upward. During childhood, get care promptly if joints become stiffer, if walking gets harder, or if a spine starts to curve.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can set up the first evaluation, arrange referrals to the right specialists, and help with follow-up visits. They can also help coordinate physical therapy and long-term care.
Common questions
How rare is arthrogryposis multiplex congenita?
AMC affects about 1 in 3,000 people. Isolated contractures, where only one body area is affected, are more common, about 1 in 500.
Can people with AMC move their joints?
Movement is limited in the joints that have contractures, which may be stuck in a bent or straightened position. Physical therapy and stretching can improve joint motion over time.
Does AMC affect intelligence?
Intellectual ability is usually normal unless the brain is involved. Some forms of AMC involve the brain and spinal cord. Doctors check each child carefully.
Why does genetic counseling matter?
Genetic counseling can help. A family can learn if it could happen again. Some cases come from inherited gene changes.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
