ankylosis

9.9

A joint that becomes very stiff and cannot move because bones stick together

noun
/ˌæŋkɪˈloʊsɪs/

Specialized

: anquilosis

Physical therapy was recommended to help alleviate the effects of ankylosis in her wrists.

Examples

A common anaesthetic problem in intubation is encountered due to temporomandibular joint ankylosis.

Academic text (2007)
The patient developed ankylosis in his knee after years of arthritis.
Let alone that I would get ankylosis.

Singularity Principle (2013)
X-rays revealed signs of ankylosis in the patient's spine, leading to limited mobility.

Synonyms

anchylosis

vsankylosis

Specialized

9.9

Stiffness in a joint when the bones stick together so the joint cannot move

is the same meaning but uses an alternative spelling form

Antonyms

mobility

92 3.4

Being able to move or change position easily

flexibility

37 3.0

Ability to bend or change shape without breaking

How Stiff

fusion

Specialized

7 8.1

ankylosis

Specialized

9.9

stiffness

13 3.9

Surface Forms

ankylosis singular

ankyloses plural

Morphology

ankylosis = ankylose (opaque) = ankyl + osis

The combining form 'ankyl-' is not a standalone English word and '-osis' is a technical medical suffix, so an average B1 learner cannot reliably derive the meaning.

Etymology

Ankylosis comes from the Greek root ankylos, which means 'bent' or 'fused'. So, ankylosis is easy to remember as a joint where the parts have become 'stuck together', making it stiff and hard to move.