[Treatment of a radial club hand]

The present study includes a total of 12 patients who had a longitudinal radial deficiency which produced a club hand. 17 hands were affected. Complete radius aplasia (type C) was most frequent, followed by partial radius aplasia (type D) and radius hypoplasia (type E). 7 patients (8 hands) were treated surgically by centralisation of the ulna. Average age at surgery was 46 months. Indications for surgery were followed according to Blauth. The results were evaluated using the criteria of Hippe and Blauth. All patients were pleased with the results, and in each case there was no doubt that function and appearance could be improved. The results of this study demonstrate that correction of radial clubhand by centralisation of the ulna produces a good functional result if the criteria of Blauth are followed: functional mobility of the elbow joint of more then 90 degrees, and the possibility of passive correction of the deformity preoperatively.