External fixation and centralization versus external fixation and ulnar osteotomy: the treatment of radial dysplasia using the resolved total angle of deformity

The unsolved problem of radial longitudinal dysplasia: how can we reliably prevent recurrence, preserve growth and optimize function?

Congenital radial longitudinal dysplasia remains an 'unsolved problem' in hand surgery. The challenges presented by the skeletal deficiency of the distal radius and soft tissue dysplasia of the severe radial longitudinal deficiency have been addressed by a number of techniques that aim to stabilize the position of the hand relative to the forearm and optimize forearm growth and hand function. Analysis of hand function and position in these children is difficult because of the abnormal 'wrist' mechanics, and the published results of the techniques used to date often lack a standardized approach and importantly the perception of function from the patient's perspective. The existing data is reviewed and compared with the results of cohorts from two major congenital upper limb centres. Soft tissue distraction prior to radialization or centralization may offer benefit in ulnar growth and forearm length but there is a need for further research into the long-term functional outcomes of the various techniques available to determine the optimal choice for these children.Level of evidence: V.

Radial Club Hand Treated by Paley Ulnarization Generation 3: Is this the New Centralization?

(1) Background: Patients treated with the two previous generations of ulnarization developed a bump related to the ulnar head becoming prominent on the radial side of the hand. To finally remedy this problem, a third generation of ulnarization was developed to keep the ulnar head contained. While still ulnar to the wrist center, the center of the wrist remains ulnar to the ulnar head, with the ulnar head articulating directly with the trapezoid and when present the trapezium. (2) Methods: Between 2019 and 2021, 22 radial club hands in 17 patients were surgically corrected with this modified version of ulnarization. (3) Results: In all 17 patients, the mean HFA (hand–forearm-angle) correction was 68.5° (range 12.2°–88.7°). The mean ulna growth was 1.3 cm per year (range 0.2–2 cm). There were no recurrent radial deviation deformities more than 15° of the HFA. (4) Conclusions: This new version of ulnarization may solve the problem of the ulna growing past the carpus creating a prominent ulnar bump. The results presented are preliminary but promising. Longer-term follow-up is needed to fully evaluate this procedure.

Outcome of Centralization and Ulnarization of the Carpus with Ulnar Shortening Osteotomy on Functioning in Children with Radial Club Hand

BACKGROUND

Radial club hand (RCH) is characterized by a wide array of hand and forearm anomalies. Various treatment approaches have been described depending upon the stages of RCH. The major drawback of these studies is that the effectiveness of these interventions was reported on clinical and radiological outcomes. With the increasing focus on patient-centered care nowadays, we wanted to identify the components associated with functioning and evaluate the effectiveness of two surgical procedures on functional outcomes using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)-based tools.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified 14 children from our records (nine boys, five girls) with a mean age of 5.6 years, classified as Bayne types III-IV and classified them into two groups; those who were operated by centralization (group 1) and ulnarization of the carpus with ulnar shortening osteotomy procedure (group 2). The outcomes were evaluated by the brief ICF core set for the child and youth with cerebral palsy up to the age of 5 and the brief ICF core set for hand conditions for a period of 1 year after surgery.

RESULTS

The results showed that both the operative techniques showed improvement in the structure component (s730-structure of upper extremity). ICF categories of d445-hand and arm use, d530-toileting, and d880-engagement in play showed a change in frequencies of more than 40% after surgery and were maintained till follow-up. However, categories related to muscle power functions (b730), muscle tone (b735), fine hand use (d440), hand and arm use (d445) and engagement in play (d880) showed no significant improvement (p > 0.05). There were no differences between both the surgical procedures in improving the outcomes (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that surgical techniques may be more appropriate to improve the cosmetic or structural appearance of the upper extremity than functioning.

Changing paradigms in the treatment of radial club hand: microvascular joint transfer for correction of radial deviation and preservation of long-term growth

Radial longitudinal deficiency, also known as radial club hand, is a congenital deformity of the upper extremity which can present with a spectrum of upper limb deficiencies. The typical hand and forearm deformity in such cases consists of significant forearm shortening, radial deviation of the wrist and hypoplasia or absence of a thumb. Treatment goals focus on the creation of stable centralized and functionally hand, maintenance of a mobile and stable wrist and preservation of longitudinal forearm growth. Historically centralization procedures have been the most common treatment method for this condition; unfortunately centralization procedures are associated with a high recurrence rate and have the potential for injury to the distal ulnar physis resulting in a further decrease in forearm growth. Here we advocate for the use of a vascularized second metatarsophalangeal joint transfer for stabilization of the carpus and prevention of recurrent radial deformity and subluxation of the wrist. This technique was originally described by the senior author in 1992 and he has subsequently been performed in 24 cases with an average of 11-year follow-up. In this paper we present an overview of the technique and review the expected outcomes for this method of treatment of radial longitudinal deficiency.