title: Shortening and deformity of radius and ulna in children: correction of axis and length by callus distraction.
abstract: Forearm deformities in children and adolescents may be congenital or developmental, or result from trauma; they may cause pain and decreased function of the wrist and hand. In this study we treated seven patients with forearm deformities (10 forearms) by callus distraction of either the radius or ulna using a monolateral external fixator after osteotomy. Target length was achieved in all cases. The results show significant improvement in range of motion of the forearm. All patients were satisfied with the appearance. There were no complications such as pin tract infection or neural impairment. In one case delayed ossification was resolved by alternating distraction and compression. The timing of correction depends on the implications of the deformity for the carpal bones and the function of the other forearm. Monolateral external fixation proved a versatile tool for correction of forearm deformity in children and adolescents, with a low complication rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, St. Vinzenz-Hospital, Cologne, Germany. k.mader@ndh.net
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mader
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gausepohl
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pennig
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002146:Bony Callus / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005097:Exostoses, Multiple Hereditary / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005357:Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005542:Forearm / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods*; D011884:Radius / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D000072042:Salter-Harris Fractures; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014457:Ulna / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000502:physiology