Contracture of the Lower Extremity in Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita.

We studied 61 patients with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita during the period of 1926 to 1990. Joint contractures of the lower extremity at first visit were reviewed.Of 122 extremities; 98 foot deformities, 84 knee contractures and 63 hip contractures (40 dislocations and 23 contractures only) were seen showing the frequency of joint contractures to be higher distally than proximally.The main cause of the gait disturbances are multiple joint contractures. The combination of hip dislocation-knee extension contrature (dislocation)-pes equinovarus is the most important factor in the development of the gait disturbance.