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Living with Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia with congenital joint dislocations

A genetic bone and joint condition with short stature and joint dislocations present at birth.

Understanding Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia with congenital joint dislocations

Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia with congenital joint dislocations is a genetic condition of the bones and joints that gets worse over time.

People have short stature throughout life, with an adult height under 4 and a half feet. Dislocated joints are present at birth, most often in the knees, hips, and elbows. Other features include clubfoot, limited movement in large joints, and a curved spine. It is also called CHST3-related skeletal dysplasia. Minor heart defects have been reported in a few people.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Short stature with a short trunk
  • Joint dislocations at birth
  • Joint pain and enlarged joints
  • Curved spine (kyphoscoliosis)
  • Knock knees
  • Delayed motor skills

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include bone and joint specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in CHST3 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

Care & treatment

Care team
Bone and joint specialists (orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
How can we treat or monitor the joint dislocations?
Should the heart be checked?
Would CHST3 gene testing help our family?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy and as a Newborn
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesCHST3

Changes in the CHST3 gene cause this condition. It is autosomal recessive, meaning a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

GeneticInherited Metabolic

Also known as: carbohydrate sulfotransferase 3 related skeletal dysplasia; chondrodysplasia with congenital joint dislocations, chst3 type; chondrodysplasia with multiple dislocations; chst3-related skeletal dysplasia; humero-spinal dysostosis; humero-spinal dysostosis with congenital heart disease

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia with congenital joint dislocationsGARD ID 13169 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia with congenital joint dislocations.

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