Advances in diagnosis and treatment of Madelung's deformity

In this paper, a review of the literature was performed to critically evaluate relevant published research on diagnosis and treatment of Madelung's deformity. Madelung's deformity is a metaphyseal dysplasia of the distal radius, where the distal radial joint tilts to the volar and ulnar sides, combined with distal ulnar subluxation and elbow dislocation. The main pathogenic factors of this disease include idiopathic, hereditary and acquired factors. So far, it is believed that Madelung's deformity is mainly associated with trauma, epiphyseal dysplasia, nutritional disorders, and gene deletion or mutation. It is more common in females, and is an autosomal dominant inheritance disease. Most patients suffer from this disease bilaterally. Madelung's deformity may occur as a complication of Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis. Most patients usually have no clinical symptoms in the early stage, and some patients come to the hospital due to wrist pain, stiffness, deformity and a shorter forearm. X-ray film is the main diagnostic method for this disease. Magnetic resonance imaging can show local soft tissue and bone abnormalities in the early stage, so it is used for the early diagnosis of this disease. The ulnar angle can be classified into different types based on the size of the distal radius palmar angle. For severe deformity and symptoms, surgical treatment is often required, including soft tissue release, distal radius osteotomy, ulnar shortening osteotomy, distal ulnar resection, and distal radioulnar joint fusion. Some procedures have better clinical results in relieving pain and improving mobility.