A syndrome of arthralgia associated with one form of acne is described. Orthopaedic surgeons should be alert to the association of profound arthralgia and myalgia with this particular variant of acne vulgaris. Thirteen patients are described, all of whom are adolescent boys with a chronic moderately active acne which suddenly became extremely aggressive and toxic. The symptoms and signs included proximal arthralgia and myalgia, fever, elevated sedimentation rate, and altered immunoglobulins. Control of acne and conservative physical therapy resulted in complete resolution of the musculoskeletal complaints.
