[Congenital clubhand]

The authors report on congenital clubhand as a malformation of the radial parts of the upper extremities and point out that this malformation car occur as a part of various syndromes as well as in the framework of thalidomide embryopathy. From the morphological viewpoint, the radius can be completely or partially lacking or hypoplastic. Soft tissue defects include muscle and tendon aplasia as well as numerous anatomical variations thereof. Clubhand is usually treated conservatively, using manual rédressement exercise, rédressement plaster casts, correction splints, and occupational therapy. If, after corrective therapy, the function tests show no improvement in hand function, then this is an indication for operative treatment. In addition to our own technique, others are also described. Clubhand often recurs because the support of the wrist and muscular balance at the wrist joint are not always optimally established. The authors warn that operations can be prematurely evaluated as successful.