Definition

1. Noun:
   • Abnormal adhesion and rigidity of the bones of a joint: A medical condition where the bones of a joint become fused together, resulting in stiffness and loss of movement.

Usage

• Noun: Used primarily in medical contexts to describe a pathological state of a joint. It is a technical term.
  • The patient's chronic inflammation led to anchylosis of the knee.
  • Surgical intervention may be required to treat anchylosis.

Advanced Usage

• "Bony anchylosis": Specifies complete fusion by bone tissue.
  • X-rays confirmed bony anchylosis of the spinal vertebrae.
• "Fibrous anchylosis": Specifies fusion by fibrous tissue, which may allow for minimal movement.
  • The condition resulted in fibrous anchylosis, causing severe but not absolute immobility.

Variants and Related Words

• Ankylosis: This is the more common modern spelling of the same medical term. "Anchylosis" is an older variant.
  • The textbook listed ankylosis as a potential complication of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Ankylotic (adj): Pertaining to or affected by ankylosis.
  • The ankylotic joint was completely immobile.

Synonyms

• Joint fusion: A more general descriptive term.
• Arthrodesis: This specifically refers to the surgical fusion of a joint, which is a procedure, not a disease state. It is a related but distinct concept.

Notes on Meaning

• The term specifically refers to the pathological (the fused, rigid joint) of a disease process, such as chronic arthritis or severe infection. It is not the name of the disease itself but a complication or symptom.
• It denotes a loss of the normal joint space and function.

Noun

1. abnormal adhesion and rigidity of the bones of a joint