Overview
Acrodysplasia scoliosis is an extremely rare genetic condition that affects the development of bones, particularly in the hands, feet, and spine. The name reflects its two main features: acrodysplasia, which refers to abnormal development of the bones at the ends of the limbs (fingers and toes), and scoliosis, which is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine. People with this condition may notice that their fingers or toes appear unusually short or have an abnormal shape, and they may develop a noticeable curve in their spine during childhood or adolescence. Because this condition is so rare, with very few cases described in the medical literature, our understanding of the full range of symptoms and the best approaches to treatment is still limited. Treatment is generally focused on managing symptoms rather than curing the underlying condition. This may include orthopedic care for scoliosis, such as bracing or surgery in severe cases, physical therapy to maintain mobility and strength, and monitoring of bone development throughout growth. Patients benefit from a team of specialists who can address the various aspects of this condition. Early diagnosis and intervention can help improve quality of life and prevent complications from worsening over time.
Key symptoms:
Abnormally short fingers or toesCurved spine (scoliosis)Unusual shape of the hands or feetLimited range of motion in jointsBack painUneven shoulders or hipsDifficulty with fine motor tasksShort stature or growth delaysAbnormal bone development in the limbs
Clinical phenotype terms (4)— hover any for plain English
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Childhood
Begins in childhood, roughly ages 1 to 12
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Acrodysplasia scoliosis.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Acrodysplasia scoliosis.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Acrodysplasia scoliosis.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How severe is my child's scoliosis, and is it likely to get worse?,What monitoring schedule do you recommend for tracking bone and spine changes?,Should we pursue genetic testing, and what might the results tell us?,When should we consider bracing or surgery for the scoliosis?,What types of physical or occupational therapy would be most helpful?,Are there any activities my child should avoid?,Are there other specialists we should be seeing for this condition?
Common questions about Acrodysplasia scoliosis
What is Acrodysplasia scoliosis?
Acrodysplasia scoliosis is an extremely rare genetic condition that affects the development of bones, particularly in the hands, feet, and spine. The name reflects its two main features: acrodysplasia, which refers to abnormal development of the bones at the ends of the limbs (fingers and toes), and scoliosis, which is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine. People with this condition may notice that their fingers or toes appear unusually short or have an abnormal shape, and they may develop a noticeable curve in their spine during childhood or adolescence. Because this condition is so ra
At what age does Acrodysplasia scoliosis typically begin?
Typical onset of Acrodysplasia scoliosis is childhood. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.