Achondroplasia Treatment in Singapore 2023

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Table of Contents

Basics

Description

  • Achondroplasia is the most common skeletal dysplasia.
  • Characteristics:
    • Patient height <4.5 feet at maturity
    • The greatest shortening occurs in the proximal humerus and femur.
    • Hypoplasia of the midface and frontal bossing may be present.
    • Arthritis is rarely seen, but spinal stenosis is the most serious possible complication.
    • Affects the skeletal and neurologic systems
    • Its features are immediately evident at birth, but life expectancy is not substantially altered in the heterozygote:
      • Skeleton: Ligamentous laxity, undergrowth of long bones
      • Neurologic: Stenosis of the foramen magnum in infancy or the lumbar spine near maturity
      • Skeletal dysplasia: Rhizomelic short stature
Epidemiology
Incidence
  • The incidence of spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease increases with age.
  • It affects males and females equally.
Prevalence
1 per 15,000 population
 
Risk Factors
  • Parental age >37 years
  • Achondroplastic parent
Genetics
  • Autosomal dominant
  • Acquired by most patients (70%) as a new mutation
  • Homozygous patients (with 2 affected parents) usually die.
Pathophysiology
  • Growth plates show decreased cellular organization and activity, resulting in a defect in endochondral osteogenesis.
  • Bones and other tissues are otherwise normal.
  • Growth plates are of normal width; microscopically, the normal, orderly arrangement of cartilage cells into columns is defective.
  • Membranous bone formation, which accounts for circumferential growth of the shafts of the long bones, proceeds normally.
  • Changes can be recognized radiographically as early as 3 months of gestation.
Etiology
  • Achondroplasia results from a defect in the fibroblast growth factor receptor-3 protein .
  • The pathologic process begins in utero: The epiphyseal cartilage plate growth is slowed and disordered, with a resulting decrease in longitudinal growth.
Associated Conditions
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Overweight

Diagnosis

Signs and Symptoms
  • Disproportionately short stature, long trunk, and rhizomelic shortening of the limbs are evident at birth.
  • Large head, with a prominent forehead and parietal bossing
  • Midfacial hypoplasia
  • Initially, the legs appear straight, but genu varum may develop with growth.
  • Short, broad, and stubby digits
  • Restricted elbow extension (but little functional importance)
  • Excessive lumbar lordosis and anterior pelvic tilt, as well as a waddling gait
  • Stenosis of the lumbar spine, prolapse of the intervertebral discs, osteophytes, and deformed vertebral bodies may compress the spinal cord and nerve roots.
  • Adult height ranges from >6 inches.
History
  • A developmental history should be taken.
    • Although milestones are not met at the usual times, norms are available for this condition.
    • In many cases, stenosis of the foramen magnum resolves spontaneously.
Physical Exam
  • Head: Frontal bossing; midface hypoplasia
  • Spine: Exaggerated lumbar lordosis; possible thoracolumbar kyphosis
  • Extremities:
    • Short, especially proximally in the humerus and femur
    • Muscular appearance
  • Elbow flexion contracture dislocated radial head
  • Space between long and ring fingers, giving appearance of trident hand (3 groups of digits)
  • Bowed (varus) knees common; varus valgus laxity and hyperextension often are seen in childhood.
  • Lumbar stenosis in adults, possibly producing motor weakness in ankles, feet, and bladder function
  • Cervical or thoracic stenosis, possibly causing hyperreflexia
Tests
Lab
  • No characteristic laboratory findings
  • DNA testing is not used clinically.
Imaging
  • Radiography:
    • Skull:
      • A shortened skull base, a large cranium with prominent frontal and occipital areas, and superimposition of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis over the mastoid
      • Small foramen magnum
    • Lumbar spine:
      • Decreased interpedicular distance, spinal stenosis, and posterior scalloping of the vertebral bodies
      • Thoracolumbar kyphosis, commonly seen in infancy, usually disappears with ambulation and is replaced by an exaggerated lumbar lordosis.
    • Pelvis: Broad with wide, square iliac wings, small and deep greater sciatic notches, and horizontal superior acetabular margins
  • MRI:
    • Obtain of the head and neck if milestones are delayed beyond the achondroplastic norms
Diagnostic Procedures/Surgery
  • Sleep studies are possibly indicated for infants with developmental delay.
  • Routine genetic testing is not indicated.
Differential Diagnosis
  • Pseudoachondroplasia: Normal facial appearance; irregular epiphyses of hips and knees
  • Hypochondroplasia: Height usually >54 inches, no spinal stenosis, no caudal approximation of the pedicles

Treatment for Achondroplasia in Singapore

General Measures
  • No effective treatment for the cartilage growth difference is available.
  • Occasionally, osteotomy is required to correct specific limb deformities .
  • In adults, low back pain may require symptomatic measures.
  • Neurologic complications, including hydrocephalus, nerve root compression, spinal stenosis, and paraplegia, may necessitate surgery.
  • Foramen magnum decompression is performed for severe infantile stenosis .
  • Thoracolumbar kyphosis is monitored, and patients are treated with a brace if the condition persists beyond the age of 3 years.
  • Laminectomy is indicated for severe spinal stenosis and should include fusion for a patient with severe kyphosis or skeletal immaturity.
  • Restriction from sports is not usually necessary.
  • Custom chairs and automobile hand controls are helpful.
  • Close follow-up for any signs of neurologic compromise is important.
  • Children with achondroplasia should not be evaluated against normal developmental milestones but, rather, against standards developed for children with the condition.
  • Motor skills often are delayed because of the physical difficulties imposed by short limbs and hypotonia.
  • Cognitive skills usually are attained at the expected ages.
Special Therapy
Physical Therapy
A therapist may be helpful in adapting a child to the environment or monitoring developmental progress.
 
Surgery
  • Tibial valgus-derotation osteotomy:
    • Usually indicated for persistent varus and torsion of the knees; internal tibial torsion usually accompanies the varus.
    • Fibular shortening has not been proven effective in this condition.
  • Spinal fusion:
    • Indicated for severe kyphosis of >4° that fails to respond to bracing by the age of 10 years
  • Laminectomy:
    • If indicated for spinal stenosis, it should be extensive: Usually decompression of the entire lumbar spine and sometimes of the lower thoracic spine.
    • Kyphosis may need to be corrected at the same time if it is severe or if the patient is growing.
  • Limb lengthening:
    • May produce substantial gains in height
    • May improve lumbar lordosis and stenosis by stretching hamstrings
    • Usually, however, bilateral lengthening of the femur, tibia, and humerus is necessary to achieve acceptable proportions, a treatment program that lasts several years.
  • Foramen magnum decompression:
    • Should be done by an experienced neurosurgeon, after multidisciplinary consultation, if patient fails to improve.
Follow-up
Prognosis
  • Good, except for spinal stenosis
  • Visceral involvement is absent.
  • The rare, homozygous form usually results in death in a few weeks to months.
  • Heterozygous individuals have a normal life span.
  • Intelligence is normal.
  • Patients usually are independent in daily life.
Complications
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Nerve root compression
  • Knee pain
Patient Monitoring
  • Given the high propensity to orthopaedic problems, patients should be seen routinely.
  • Periodic examinations of extremity strength and bladder control are warranted.

Miscellaneous

ICD9-CM
  • 259.4 Dwarfism
  • 724.00 (general) Spinal stenosis
  • 756.4 Achondroplasia
Patient Teaching
  • Genetic counseling
  • Weight control, which is often a problem and is helped by exercise
  • Early detection of spinal stenosis
  • Vocational counseling, to avoid physical labor occupations
  • Usually no restriction on activity unless spinal stenosis occurs
  • Mention Dwarf Amateur Athletic Association, a competitive forum
Activity
  • Counsel patient to:
    • Remain physically active on a regular basis
    • Avoid excessive weight gain
    • Avoid hyperextension stress
Prevention
Patients should be told about the signs and symptoms of spinal stenosis so that it can be detected at the earliest possible point.
 

Achondroplasia FAQ

Especially in childhood, a geneticist usually has the most knowledge about the entire spectrum of the condition. He or she should see the patient at least yearly and can consult other specialists as needed.
Spinal stenosis is heralded by thigh and leg pain that is worse with walking and not localized just to the knee. Physical stamina may become challenged. The need to stoop forward and rest holding the thighs is a characteristic move.
Other than treating symptoms, achondroplasia has no specific treatment. It is advised to keep track of a baby's growth during an early diagnosis by measuring their height, weight, and head circumference.
A serious spinal deformity could result from this condition deteriorating over time. Another typical issue in children and adults with achondroplasia is compression of the spinal cord or nerves branching off from the spinal cord, which can happen if the spinal canal that houses these nerves narrows.

Appointment

If you would like an appointment / review with our achondroplasia specialist in Singapore, the best way is to call +65 6664 8135 or click here to book an appointment at the clinic. If you would like to speak to one of our clinicians first about e.g. dwarfism, achondroplasia physical therapy, achondroplasia treatment & cost etc, then please contact feedback2@bone.com.sg or SMS/WhatsApp to +65 6664 8135.

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