Arthrogryposis

Arthrogryposis. This is a big, fancy, medical word which means that a person has multiple joint contractures (stiff joints) or dislocated joints in the body at birth also affecting muscle tone and strength. It is often caused by impaired fetal movements in utero, and it is not progressive. Since the day we met Joy, we have wondered if this would be a correct diagnosis for her. We suspected that this diagnosis would shed some light as to why her hip and knee joints are the way they are. Our orthopedic surgeon hasn't been convinced that Joy has arthrogryposis because it often presents itself not only in the leg joints, but also the feet, arms, and hands. In its most severe forms, it affects every joint in the body. Since only Joy's hips and knees are involved and she is fully mobile, our doctor calls Joy an "all star" in this camp. These are pictures of how her legs looked before her surgery a year ago.

And these are recent pictures of her legs. You gotta love the pose! Her right knee was never straight and even hyperextended. Due to surgery it is much straighter, it bends in the right direction, and it is continuing to get more flexible. Her left knee did bend, but not much. With physical therapy and without surgery, it is much more flexible. Both hips were dislocated, and they are now both resting securely in their sockets.

We saw a geneticist this past week who has now confirmed that Joy does has a form of arthrogryposis (there are over 200 types). This news is not surprising to us and is even somewhat anticlimatic. It doesn't change anything that we have already done for Joy medically, nor does it change the physical therapies that we will continue to do. It just helps us to gain a deeper understanding for her condition and the specially made, unique little person she is. God knew exactly what He was doing when He made her! Joy is continuing to make good progress physically, and her cognitive development and growth astound us. So, we continue to move forward encouraging Joy to accomplish her maximum God given potential. We also know that God uses our weaknesses to show His great strength!

"The joy of the Lord is our strength!" Nehemiah 8:10