The hand in the child with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Clinical examination of 100 children showed frequent loss of wrist extension and ulnar deviation. Loss of flexion and radial deviation in the metacarpophalangeal joint is more frequent than in the adult. Statistical review of charts and roentgenograms of 200 patients showed all had ulnar shortening up to 9 mm but there was no correlation with ulnar deviation or netacarpophalangeal radial deviation. Conservative treatment is reviewed; surgery is rarely indicated.