Anchylosis

Anchylosis, the condition of impaired mobility of a joint, caused by disease, involving the articular surfaces. Anchylosis may be fibrous or bony. In the former condition fibrous cords, the result of inflammation, bind together the joint surfaces. These "adhesions" are, in suitable cases, "broken down "by the surgeon so as to restore the movement of the joint. In true bony anchylosis there is absolute rigidity of the affected limb. This, however, provided the anchylosis has become established with the limb "in good position," is sometimes regarded as a result to be aimed at in certain forms of disease.