The shoulder and elbow in Apert's syndrome.

Nine children with Apert's syndrome were studied and found to have progressive bony dysplasia in the shoulder and elbow. The children showed loss of joint motion and radiographic abnormalities including subluxation and flattening of the humeral head with irregularities of the glenoid. The elbow showed flattening and subluxation of the radial head in radiographs and a positive click on physical examination. The limitation of motion and the presence of bony defects were progressive, suggesting that Apert's syndrome is a progressive generalized dysplasia.