TREATMENT OF MADELUNGS-DEFORMITY BY LENGTHENING AND REAXATION OF THE DISTAL EXTREMITY OF THE RADIUS BY ILIZAROV TECHNIQUE

Madelung's deformity was first described in 1878. It is characterised by a typical deformity of the carpus and not only causes pain but also impedes mobility and aesthetic appearance. Surgical correction can be effected during adolescence, the most frequently employed technique b eing conical osteotomy. We present a novel technique of lengthening an d aligning the distal radial extremity using Ilizorov's technique. Fiv e carpal joints were operated on in three 13-year old girls. An aesthe tic effect was obvious in all the cases. Mobility improved by 30 degre es in the direction of the extension and pain always subsided directly after surgery.