When inflammation has caused the joint-ends of the bones to be fused together, the ankylosis is termed osseous or complete and is an instance of synostosis.

Excision of a completely ankylotic shoulder or elbow may restore free mobility and usefulness to the limb.

"Ankylosis" is also used as an anatomical term, bones being said to ankylose (or anchylose) when, from being originally distinct, they coalesce, or become so joined that no motion can take place between them.

[1] Evidence for ankylosis found in the fossil record is studied by paleopathologists, specialists in ancient disease and injury.

Ankylosis has been reported in dinosaur fossils from several species, including Allosaurus fragilis, Becklespinax altispinax, Poekilopleuron bucklandii, and Tyrannosaurus rex (including the Stan specimen).