What condition can lead to fixed, rigid joints and is primarily characterized by weakness in the muscles?

The condition that leads to fixed, rigid joints and is primarily characterized by weakness in the muscles is arthrogryposis. This is a congenital condition that results in the shortening of muscles and tendons around joints, leading to limitations in mobility and fixed joint positions. Individuals with arthrogryposis may experience muscle weakness alongside joint contractures, which contribute to their characteristic posture and movement patterns.

This option reflects the complex interplay between muscle weakness and joint deformities, highlighting how decreased muscle function can restrict joint movement, resulting in rigidity. By understanding arthrogryposis, it becomes clear why it can lead to the described symptoms of fixed, rigid joints and muscle weakness, underscoring its impact on physical mobility and intervention strategies in therapy.

In contrast, while cerebral palsy and spinal muscular atrophy also involve muscle weakness, the specifics of joint fixation and rigidity are more pronounced in arthrogryposis. Congenital hip dysplasia relates to hip joint development rather than overall joint rigidity or muscle weakness as a primary characteristic, differentiating it from the key features of arthrogryposis.