Orthopaedic manifestations in congenitally insensate patients

The spectrum of orthopaedic problems in eight congenitally insensate patients was reviewed. The conditions included congenital insensitivity to pain, Riley-Day syndrome, and Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. In each of these conditions, the patient has an abnormality of interpretation of painful stimuli or lacks normal pain avoidance, leading to self-inflicted damage. The orthopaedic problems and complications included fracture, self-mutilation, autoamputation, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, Charcot joints, scoliosis, and dislocation. Effective management consists of early diagnosis and patient/parent education to prevent as many complications as possible. Fractures may be treated conservatively, while progressive scoliosis requires operative intervention. Osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, and Charcot joints require appropriate operative treatment.