Congenital pseudarthrosis of the radius

Five children with six congenital pseudarthroses of the long bones of the forearm are described. Four cases were the result of neurofibromatosis, one was related to fibrous dysplasia, and one appears to be idiopathic. Whereas congenital pseudarthrosis of the leg primarily involves the tibia, congenital pseudarthrosis of the forearm primarily involves the radius. Four of the children were treated with bone grafts of the radius, three requiring repeated grafting. The etiology, differential diagnosis, long term prognosis, and treatment correlate with the data of similar lesions in the tibia. Thus the reason for poor fusion is probably unrelated to weight bearing but is rather the result of underlying bone pathology.