Arthrogryposis in Calves: Congenital Joint Contracture in Young Cows

Arthrogryposis means a calf is born with one or more joints that are permanently stiff or contracted. The limbs may be fixed in a bent or stretched position, and the calf may not be able to straighten the legs normally. In cattle, this problem is present at birth rather than developing later.

This condition is not one single disease. It is a visible birth defect pattern that can happen for different reasons. In some calves, the joints are affected because the muscles and nerves did not develop or function normally before birth. In others, reduced movement in the uterus may have prevented the joints from developing full range of motion.

Severity varies a lot. A mildly affected calf may stand with help and nurse after supportive care. A severely affected calf may have multiple rigid limbs, spinal curvature, jaw or neck abnormalities, or brain defects that make survival unlikely. Your vet can help determine whether the calf has a manageable form or a more serious congenital syndrome.

Arthrogryposis happens when a fetus does not move normally in the uterus, especially during key stages of muscle, nerve, and joint development. That reduced movement can leave joints fixed in place by the time the calf is born. The underlying reason for that reduced movement can differ from herd to herd and from calf to calf.

Possible causes include inherited defects, developmental abnormalities of the spinal cord or brain, uterine crowding, and twin pregnancy. In beef cattle, one well-known inherited form is arthrogryposis multiplex in Angus and Angus-influenced lines, sometimes called curly calf syndrome. This is a recessive genetic condition, so breeding decisions matter.

Environmental causes are also important. Merck notes that toxic plant exposure during pregnancy, including certain lupines linked with crooked calf disease, can cause congenital joint contractures in calves. In some parts of the world, fetal infection with teratogenic viruses such as Akabane or Schmallenberg-related viruses can also lead to arthrogryposis, often along with brain abnormalities. Your vet may recommend looking at genetics, breeding records, feed and pasture history, and regional disease risk together rather than assuming a single cause.

Diagnosis starts with a hands-on newborn exam. Your vet will look at which joints are affected, whether the deformity is mild or severe, and whether the calf can stand, suckle, and breathe normally. They will also check for other congenital defects such as spinal curvature, cleft palate, neurologic changes, or signs of brain involvement.

In some calves, the diagnosis is mainly clinical because the limb contractures are obvious at birth. Radiographs can help define bone and joint alignment, especially if splinting or referral care is being considered. If the calf dies or is euthanized, necropsy can be very helpful because it may reveal spinal cord, brain, or muscle changes that explain why the joints became fixed.

Your vet may also suggest herd-level investigation. That can include reviewing the dam's gestation history, pasture and feed exposure, vaccination and disease history, and whether related calves have been affected before. If a genetic cause is suspected, DNA testing of the calf, parents, or breeding stock may be appropriate. This is especially useful in Angus or Angus-cross herds where arthrogryposis multiplex is part of breeding management.

Prevention depends on the cause, so herd-level investigation is important after any affected birth. If a genetic defect is suspected, review pedigrees and consider DNA testing of breeding animals before repeating a mating. This is especially relevant in Angus and Angus-cross cattle because arthrogryposis multiplex is a recognized recessive defect in those lines.

Pregnant cows should also be managed to reduce avoidable environmental risks. Work with your vet and nutrition team to identify toxic plants in grazing areas, especially lupines in regions where crooked calf disease is a concern. Good pasture management, forage review, and avoiding known teratogenic exposures during pregnancy can lower risk.

Your vet may also recommend reviewing vaccination, biosecurity, and reproductive records if infectious causes are possible in your area. While some viral causes of congenital defects are region-specific and not common in the United States, they matter in certain parts of the world and in imported or travel-linked situations. The most practical prevention plan is one built around breeding records, pasture history, and a clear diagnosis whenever possible.