eorthopod.com

I have a friend who is a dwarf with a special condition called diastrophic dysplasia. She is bent forward at the hips and knees and can’t stand up straight. What causes this?

Diastrophic dysplasia is a condition that affects the bones. It causes curving or bowing of long bones such as the femur in the thigh. This shape of the bones causes the muscles to become short or contracted. The change in the shape of the bones and the shortening of muscles keeps the hips from extending.

There are stretching programs to help keep the muscles from getting tighter. Often, the loss of motion is combined with joint pain, making these exercises difficult. Hip joint replacement is helpful when there is severe pain and difficulty walking or performing daily activities.

Reference: 

Ilkka Helenius, MD, PhD, et al. Total Hip Arthroplasty in Diastrophic Dysplasia. In The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. March 2003. Vol. 85-A. No. 3. Pp. 441-447.

Disclaimer

The information on this website is not intended to replace the advice or care from a healthcare provider. The information on this website is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments, or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visiting with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your healthcare provider because of any information you obtain on this website. Discuss any activities presented in this website with your healthcare provider before engaging in the activity.