Definition of Congenital arthrogryposis Congenital
arthrogryposis: Nonprogressive congenital contractures that
develop before birth and are evident at birth (congenital). The
contractures are characterized by reduced mobility of many
(multiple) joints. Congenital arthrogryposis is also called
arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC). In AMC the range of
motion of the joints in the arms and legs is usually limited or
fixed. Joints affected may include the shoulders, elbows, wrists
and fingers and the hips, knees, ankles, and feet -- virtually
any and all joints. The impairment of joint mobility is often
accompanied by overgrowth (proliferation) of fibrous tissue in
the joints (fibrous ankylosis). AMC was once thought to be a
single disease. It is clearly many. The mechanisms responsible
for AMC are presumed to be the same as for all arthrogryposis,
irrespective of the number of joints involved: Arthrogryposis
means crooking of the joint. It comes from the Greek "arthro-",
joint + "gryposis ", crooking.Source: