title: Gradual lengthening of the ulna in patients with multiple hereditary exostoses with a dislocated radial head.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Multiple hereditary exostoses of the forearm typically form in the distal ulna, causing disturbances in the growth of the ulna and functional disability. Multiple hereditary exostoses inhibit the growth of the ulna, leading to an acquisition of a varus deformity in the radius, which sometimes leads to dislocation of the radial head, the development of limitations in the pronation-supination of the forearm, and cosmetic problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed the cases of four patients who had deformities of the forearm with radial head dislocation associated with multiple hereditary exostoses, and evaluated the radiologic and clinical results of excision of the osteochondromas from the distal ulna and gradual ulnar lengthening with an Ilizarov external fixator.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Good clinical and radiological results were obtained after a mean follow-up of 25 months. At the most recent follow-up, radial bowing, ulnar shortening, carpal slip, and the pronation/supination arch of the forearm had improved. There was little change in terms of preoperative radial articular angle and the flexion/extension arch of the elbow by the most recent follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of four forearms from four patients by excision of osteochondromas and gradual lengthening of the ulna with an Ilizarov external fixator spontaneously reduced dislocations of the radial heads without the need for any additional operative intervention. All patients were satisfied with the final results.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea. choisidoru@yuhs.ac.
authors: Yong Jin
authors: YJ
authors: Cho
authors: Sung Taek
authors: ST
authors: Jung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005097:Exostoses, Multiple Hereditary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D011884:Radius / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014457:Ulna / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ilizarov external fixator; Multiple hereditary exostosis; gradual lengthening