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Diastrophic dysplasia is a disorder of cartilage and bone development.[9135] Diastrophic dysplasia is characterized by shortened arms and legs, spinal deformities, hitchhiker thumbs, joint contractures, and joint pain (osteoarthritis).[9136] Joint contractures and spinal deformity tend to worsen with age.[9136] Mental development and intelligence are usually normal.[9136] Occasionally, children with diastrophic dysplasia die in infancy due to respiratory complications such as pneumonia.[9136] Management consists of maintaining joint position and mobility through physical therapy and casting. Surgical correction of clubfoot may be necessary. Arthroplasty of the hips and knees to decrease pain and increase motility may also be indicated. Indications for surgical correction of scoliosis have not yet been established.[9136] Diastrophic dysplasia is caused by mutations in the SLC26A2 gene and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.[9135][9136]
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