Comparison of surgical treatment and nonoperative management for radial longitudinal deficiency

We compared the radiological and functional outcomes in patients with radial longitudinal deficiency treated surgically with those managed nonoperatively and correlated the ease of performance of activities with radiological and functional parameters in the two groups. A retrospective analysis was done in 446 type 3 and 4 hands (modified Bayne classification) over 20 years comparing the subjective assessment, objective and functional scores in nonoperatively managed hands (Group 1; n = 137) to hands managed with centralization or radialization (Group 2; n = 309). The subjective, objective and functional measures were significantly better in Group 2. Improved alignment, finger and wrist range of motion and grip strength were related to improvement in functional score. Surgical treatment of radial longitudinal deficiency provides improvement in cosmesis, function and ease of performance of activities when compared with nonoperatively managed hands.