[Familial congenital radio-ulnar synostosis (author's transl)]

Radio-ulnar synostosis is a congenital bony union between radius and ulna, usually in the vicinity of the radial tuberosity. A family is described on whom this anomaly was inherited over three generations. The rare cases described in the literature were usually bilateral, in our family it was unilateral. The following aspects are discussed: the frequency of this condition, the anatomical localisation of the synostosis, their types, local soft tissue and other abnormalities, embrylogy and the hereditory pattern. Finally, methods of treatment are discussed briefly.