[A man without pronation and supination].

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Radiology
• Anatomy

Background:

• Radioulnar synostosis is a congenital or acquired fusion of the radius and ulna bones in the forearm.
• This fusion can significantly impair forearm rotation (pronation and supination), impacting daily activities.
• The severity of functional limitation often correlates with the degree of bony fusion and joint involvement.

Observation:

• An 18-year-old male patient presented with a primary complaint of restricted forearm rotation, specifically the inability to fully pronate and supinate his right arm.
• Initial radiographic evaluation of the elbow joint revealed evidence of radioulnar synostosis.
• The patient exhibited a residual pronation of 5 degrees, indicating a degree of preserved, albeit limited, rotational capacity.

Findings:

• Radiographic evidence confirmed radioulnar synostosis as the underlying cause of the patient's limited forearm mobility.
• The degree of pronation fixation was a critical factor in assessing functional impairment.
• A pronation angle of 5 degrees was deemed favorable, suggesting a less severe manifestation of the condition.

Implications:

• The findings suggest that even with significant radioulnar synostosis, a degree of functional forearm rotation may be preserved.
• Conservative management, rather than immediate surgical intervention, can be a viable option for patients with favorable pronation.
• This case underscores the importance of correlating radiographic findings with functional assessment in planning treatment for radioulnar synostosis.