TREATMENT OF RADIAL CLUB HAND

The present study includes a total of 12 patients who had a longitudin al radial deficiency which produced a club hand. 17 hands were affecte d. Complete radius aplasia (type C) was most frequent, followed by par tial radius aplasia (type D) and radius hypoplasia (type E). 7 patient s (8 hands) were treated surgically by centralisation of the ulna. Ave rage age at surgery was 46 months. Indications for surgery were follow ed according to Blauth. The results were evaluated using the criteria of Hippe and Blauth. All patients were pleased with the results, and i n each case there was no doubt that function and appearance could be i mproved. The results of this study demonstrate that correction of radi al clubhand by centralisation of the ulna produces a good functional r esult if the criteria of Blauth are followed: functional mobility of t he elbow joint of more then 90 degrees, and the possibility of passive correction of the deformity preoperatively.