title: Management of radioulnar synostosis with mobilization, anconeus interposition, and a forearm rotation assist splint.
abstract: Three cases of post-traumatic proximal radioulnar synostosis are presented. Each was treated with surgery with excision of the heterotrophic new bone and mobilization of the proximal radius. The anconeus muscle was mobilized as a vascularized pedicle graft and then interposed between the proximal radius and ulna. Two patients had postoperative radiotherapy. A forearm rotation assist splint was used to augment rehabilitation after surgery. This device consists of an inner sleeve that attaches to the hand and then rotates within a standard turnbuckle flexion/extension assist splint. The overall improvement in forearm rotation in each case was 100 degrees, 140 degrees, and 150 degrees, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Benger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation*; D011884:Radius / Q000002:abnormalities*; D012399:Rotation; D013165:Splints; D013580:Synostosis / Q000601:surgery*; D014457:Ulna / Q000002:abnormalities*