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Any multiple epiphyseal dysplasia in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the COL9A3 gene.
Features include common findings: Limited knee extension and Knee pain; and sometimes findings: Limited elbow extension. 14 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Lab test results | 2 | Elevated creatine kinase (muscle enzyme) (elevated circulating creatine kinase concentration), Mildly elevated creatine kinase |
Bones and joints | 2 | Abnormal hip joint morphology, Joint wear and tear (osteoarthritis) |
Muscles | 1 | Proximal muscle weakness |
Growth and development | 1 | Mild short stature |
Autosomal dominant multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) includes a spectrum of severity from early-onset joint pain, joint deformity, and short stature to milder forms of MED that remain undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed as bilateral Perthes disease or even early-onset familial osteoarthritis. Presentation. The presenting symptom early in childhood is usually pain in the hips and/or knees after exercise.
Affected children report fatigue with long-distance walking.
Waddling gait may be present.
Angular deformities, including coxa vara and genu varum or genu valgum, are relatively rare.
In contrast to the restricted mobility in the elbows, hypermobility in the knee and finger joints can be observed.
Source: GeneReviews — "Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia, Autosomal Dominant"
COL9A3 encodes collagen type IX alpha 3 chain (684 aa). Structural component of hyaline cartilage and vitreous of the eye Highest expression in Nerve Tibial (105.5 TPM) and Brain Spinal cord cervical c-1 (102.2 TPM).
Epiphyseal dysplasia, multiple, 3 is associated with mutations in the COL9A3 gene on chromosome 20.
COL9A3 is classified as a druggable target (Druggable Genome category) with score 2.2.
Intra- and interfamilial variability in MATN3-related MED, COL9A3-related MED, and in some instances COMP-related MED make the establishment of strong genotype-phenotype correlations in autosomal dominant MED a challenge. COMP. The recurrent pathogenic variant in COMP appears to cause a mild form of the disorder, more consistent with MED caused by a type IX collagen gene variant . reviewed 300 COMP pathogenic variants and the resulting phenotypes published between 1995 and 2014 and concluded that pathogenic variants in specific residues and/or regions of the type III repeats of COMP are significantly associated with either MED or pseudoachondroplasia.
Source: GeneReviews — "Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia, Autosomal Dominant"
There is some evidence for reduced penetrance in MATN3-related MED , while pathogenic variants in COL9A1, COL9A2, COL9A3, and COMP are believed to be fully penetrant.
Source: GeneReviews — "Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia, Autosomal Dominant"
Autosomal dominant multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) should be suspected in individuals with the following clinical and radiographic findings and family history.
Clinical findings
Pain in the hips and/or knees and fatigue, often after exercise (frequently starting in early childhood)
Adult height in the lower range of normal or mildly shortened
Restricted range of movement at the major joints (e.g., elbows)
Early-onset osteoarthritis, often requiring joint replacement in the second or third decade of life
Radiographic findings
Source: GeneReviews — "Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia, Autosomal Dominant"
Other disorders with features that overlap with those of autosomal dominant multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) are summarized in .
Table 3.
Disorders to Consider in the Differential Diagnosis of Autosomal Dominant Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia
Gene | Disorder | MOI | Comments
| Dysplasia of proximal femoral epiphyses, COL2A1-related (Legg-Calve-Perthes; LCPD) (OMIM 150600) | AD | • Radiographic changes in LCPD show more involvement of metaphyses femoral neck.
Usually affects males ages 3-15 yrs
Up to 20% have bilateral involvement
Mild spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (SED)1 | AD | • COL2A1 pathogenic variants have been identified in persons w/mild SED.
Clinical radiographic features may be similar to MED.2
COMP | Pseudoachondroplasia, COMP-related | AD | See .
| Multiple epiphyseal dyspl...
Source: GeneReviews — "Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia, Autosomal Dominant"
Genetic testing for COL9A3 is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
Biomarker and diagnostic research for epiphyseal dysplasia, multiple, 3 has been reported in the published literature.
No approved treatments are currently available for epiphyseal dysplasia, multiple, 3. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
No clinical practice guidelines for autosomal dominant multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) have been published. In the absence of published guidelines, the following recommendations are based on the authors' personal experience managing individuals with this disorder. Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with autosomal dominant MED, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended. Table 4. Autosomal Dominant Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Genetic counseling | By genetics professionals1 | To obtain a pedigree inform affected persons their families re nature, MOI, implications of AD MED to facilitate medical personal decision making AD = autosomal dominant; MED = multiple epiphyseal dysplasia; MOI = mode of inheritance 1. |
Autosomal Dominant Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia: Treatment of Manifestations Manifestation/Concern | Treatment | Considerations/Other Skeletal |
Psychosocial | Psychosocial support addressing issues of short stature, chronic pain, disability, employment | Evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon is recommended if the affected individual has chronic pain or limb deformities (genu varum, genu valgum). |
Source: GeneReviews — "Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia, Autosomal Dominant"
The following should be avoided:
Obesity, which increases stress on joints
Exercise that causes repetitive strain on affected joints
Source: GeneReviews — "Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia, Autosomal Dominant"
Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Note: There may not be clinical trials for this disorder.
Source: GeneReviews — "Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia, Autosomal Dominant"
View trials for epiphyseal dysplasia, multiple, 3
Evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon is recommended if the affected individual has chronic pain or limb deformities (genu varum, genu valgum).
Source: GeneReviews — "Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia, Autosomal Dominant"
Phenotype severity distribution: 2 common features.
No clinical trials have been registered for epiphyseal dysplasia, multiple, 3.
155 publications have been identified in PubMed for epiphyseal dysplasia, multiple, 3. Research spans Review / Meta-Analysis (34%), Basic Science / Preclinical (28%), and Case Report / Case Series (15%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Research summaries | 53 | 34% |
Laboratory research | 44 | 28% |
Patient case studies | 24 | 15% |
Disease patterns and progression | 13 | 8% |
Clinical study results | 9 | 6% |
Testing and diagnosis research | 6 | 4% |
Other research | 4 | 3% |
New treatment approaches | 2 | 1% |
Tsujioka Y (2026). [PMID: 42094029](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42094029/). *Mol Syndromol*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Acurio K (2026). [PMID: 41766081](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41766081/). *J Clin Neuromuscul Dis*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Dialynaki D (2026). [PMID: 42003010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42003010/). *Autophagy*. [Other]
Esper ME (2026). [PMID: 40825664](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40825664/). *Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Taner HE (2026). [PMID: 42074581](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42074581/). *Genes (Basel)*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Solé G (2026). [PMID: 41951495](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41951495/). *Rev Med Interne*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Isfort M (2026). [PMID: 41766074](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41766074/). *Journal of clinical neuromuscular disease*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Woods S (2026). [PMID: 41651153](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41651153/). *Osteoarthritis and cartilage*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Nevarez L (2026). [PMID: 41574606](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41574606/). *JCI Insight*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Castro D (2025). [PMID: 39741097](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39741097/). *Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Data assembled from 6 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 19, 2026, 8:52 AM UTC
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