Lengthening of a one-bone forearm. A sequel of neonatal osteomyelitis.
An 8-year-old girl presented with marked shortening of the right forearm due to destruction of both the radius and ulna secondary to neonatal osteomyelitis. A one-bone forearm operation was performed to achieve a stable forearm. Two years later, the one-bone forearm was lengthened for 6 months by callus distraction (callotasis) achieving 12 cm of extra length. The patient was last followed up at the age of 16. The appearance and functional outcome of the right upper limb had been improved and she was independent in all activities of daily living.
Tong
C W
CW
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin.
Hung
L K
LK
Cheng
J C
JC
D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D011884:Radius / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014457:Ulna / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery