Radial longitudinal deficiency. Analysis of clinical and radiological results

radial longitudinal deficiency (RLD) includes bone, musculotendinous and neurovascular abnormalities of multifactorial aetiology of the radial side of the upper extremity. Treatment includes improving the length of the limb, the appearance and functioning of the hand. The aim of this study was to present our experience in a series of patients attended over the past 15 years and to describe the clinical and radiological results.

a retrospective study of patients with RLD between 2000 and 2016. Variables were analyzed and age associations were identified at the time of surgery, sex, laterality, type of deformity according to the modified Bayne-Klug classification, surgical technique, physis damage, associated diseases, functional and radiological results.

47 cases of 65 met the inclusion criteria. The average age of surgery was 19 months, 61% female. According to classification 60% were type IV, type III 19%, type 0 in 17% and type I in 4%. The intervention was centralization 72.3%, radialization 8.5% and one case of lengthening. Ulna osteotomy was performed in 55.3%. There was damage to the physis in 31%. The postoperative radiological position was neutral in 48.9%.

In patients with centralization at 1year, good clinical and radiological correction were observed, however this was lost over time. The management of soft tissues prior to centralization is believed to give better results. The use of intramedullary nail from the ulna to the carpus could be associated with damage to the distal ulna.