Plastic bowing of the forearm in the more mature skeleton

An 18 year old male suffered plastic bowing of both forearm bones following an industrial accident in which his forearm was caught by an electric hoist. Plastic bowing of both the radius and ulna occurred. This deformity, usually seen in children, was produced by an unusual set of circumstances, with a transverse force being applied for a considerable time. All four cases of 'adult' plastic bowing deformity have been the result of industrial accidents and were always the result of a transverse force acting upon the limb. Although, initially, after manipulation there was only minimal improvement in range of movement, progressive improvement was achieved with physiotherapy. In the present case early mobilization resulted in a good functional outcome for the patient.