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Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia type 1 (MED 1) is a form of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia that is characterized by normal or mild short stature, pain in the hips and/or knees, progressive deformity of extremities and early-onset osteoarthrosis. Specific features to MED 1 include a more pronounced involvement of hip joints and gait abnormality and a shorter adult height. MED1 is allelic to pseudoachondroplasia with which it shares clinical and radiological features. The disease follows an autosomal dominant mode of transmission.
Features include always present findings: Delayed epiphyseal ossification, Ankle pain, Irregular epiphyses, and Epiphyseal dysplasia and others. 22 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Bones and joints | 8 | Irregular vertebral endplates, Avascular necrosis of the capital femoral epiphysis, Broad femoral neck |
Growth and development | 3 | Severe short stature, Disproportionate short-limb short stature, Mild short stature |
Arms and legs | 2 | Disproportionate short-limb short stature, Short phalanx of finger |
Brain and nerves | 1 | Waddling gait |
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"
COMP encodes cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (757 aa). Plays a role in the structural integrity of cartilage via its interaction with other extracellular matrix proteins such as the collagens and fibronectin. Highest expression in Artery Tibial (503.8 TPM) and Artery Aorta (104.0 TPM).
Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia type 1 is associated with mutations in the COMP gene on chromosome 19.
The COMP protein participates in COMP pentamer:COMP interactors, COMP pentamer:Integrin alpha5beta1, Integrin alphaVbeta3, CD47, and COMP interactors pathways.
COMP is classified as a druggable target (Druggable Genome category) with score 26.1.
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 COMP is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
Biomarker and diagnostic research for multiple epiphyseal dysplasia type 1 has been reported in the published literature.
No approved treatments are currently available for multiple epiphyseal dysplasia type 1. 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 multiple epiphyseal dysplasia type 1
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: 7 always present features.
Estimated prevalence: Unknown (Unknown prevalence).
No clinical trials have been registered for multiple epiphyseal dysplasia type 1.
17 publications have been identified in PubMed for multiple epiphyseal dysplasia type 1. Research spans Case Report / Case Series (47%), Review / Meta-Analysis (18%), and Basic Science / Preclinical (12%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Patient case studies | 8 | 47% |
Research summaries | 3 | 18% |
Laboratory research | 2 | 12% |
Disease patterns and progression | 2 | 12% |
Testing and diagnosis research | 1 | 6% |
Clinical study results | 1 | 6% |
Tsujioka Y (2026). [PMID: 42094029](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42094029/). *Mol Syndromol*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Ni X (2026). [PMID: 41798190](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41798190/). *Frontiers in endocrinology*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Taner HE (2026). [PMID: 42074581](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42074581/). *Genes (Basel)*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Hameed MS (2025). [PMID: 39834885](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39834885/). *Oxford medical case reports*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Olarewaju BA (2025). [PMID: 39636322](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39636322/). *Skeletal radiology*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Abba Deka I (2025). [PMID: 39778871](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39778871/). *Congenital anomalies*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Daşar T (2025). [PMID: 40392407](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40392407/). *European journal of pediatrics*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Daşar T (2025). [PMID: 39618316](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39618316/). *American journal of medical genetics. Part A*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Morice A (2025). [PMID: 39837840](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39837840/). *Bone research*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Teke S (2025). [PMID: 40432266](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40432266/). *Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Data assembled from 7 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 20, 2026, 3:05 PM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center