Arthrogryposis

Helping Your Child Move & Play

Children born with arthrogryposis (also called "arthrogryposis multiplex congenita") have stiff joints that don't move well. This rare condition affects children in different ways. In some cases, it only impacts a few joints and doesn’t have much effect on kids’ movement. More severe forms can fuse together joints, including in the jaws and back. In either case, at Nemours we have the same goal: To help kids move as independently as possible. We’re here to help your child get around, play and just be a kid.

Learn More About Arthrogryposis

Services We Offer

We offer a variety of arthrogryposis services, which may vary depending on the condition or location, including:

aquatic (water) therapy (to help strengthen muscles and build flexibility in a pool’s more supportive environment)
devices and technologies including the Wilmington Robotic EXoskeleton (WREX) (to provide support, improve movement, and encourage muscle growth)
genetic consultation (to look for cases of arthrogryposis caused by errors in the genes passed from parents to child)
neurology (to provide ongoing care)
occupational therapy (to help build your child’s independence, so they can play, walk and do other everyday activities)
orthopedic surgery if needed (to improve the range of motion of the bones and muscles around a joint)
orthotics (inserts, splints or braces to help your child’s movement)
pain management (medications and/or complementary treatments like massage to help with pain)
physical therapy evaluation (to build flexibility and strength in the affected joints)
radiology (imaging) services (to take pictures of the affected joints to develop a treatment plan)
rehabilitation services (to help kids move better)
support services such as animal-assisted activities, Child Life specialists, expressive arts, social workers

Why Choose Us

Although arthrogryposis is a rare condition, it’s not rare for us. At Nemours, we’ve assembled teams of doctors, nurses, social workers and more to meet the specific needs of kids with arthrogryposis.

Regional Arthrogryposis Highlights

Services, programs and care teams differ at each location. Call for details.

Delaware Valley/Greater Philadelphia

US News & World Report Best Children's Hospital for Orthopedics 2018-19

We offer specialized programs to treat arthrogryposis at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children (Wilmington, Del.) and select satellite Nemours duPont Pediatrics locations.

ranked among the top 10 children’s hospitals in the country, year after year, for pediatric orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report
home of the Wilmington Robotic EXoskeleton (WREX) — a device to help children with arthrogryposis and other muscle disorders move their arms
pediatric outpatient therapy services program that’s one of the only in the region accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
indoor aquatic therapy pool — the largest of its kind in the tristate area
on-site shops for orthotics, prosthetics, wheelchairs and assistive technology to help kids get around, communicate and learn
advanced diagnostic services, including fetal diagnostic testing and perinatal consultations while your baby is still in the womb
Ronald McDonald House of Delaware right across from our hospital’s campus, for an affordable home-away-from-home during long hospital stays

Central Florida

We offer arthrogryposis care at Nemours Children’s Hospital (Orlando) and select Nemours Children’s Specialty Care satellite locations.

advanced radiology (imaging) services including fetal diagnostics
onsite orthotics and prosthetics shops
Ronald McDonald House on campus , for an affordable home away from home during long hospital stays

Northeast Florida

We offer arthrogryposis care at Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville (working with Wolfson Children’s Hospital) and select satellite locations.