Skip to main content

Official Journal of the Italian Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

  • ORIGINAL
  • Published:

Forearm lengthening

Abstract

Eleven cases of forearm shortening underwent lengthening using Ilizarov principles. The aetiology was hereditary multiple exostosis in 6 cases, radial club hand in 2 cases, and trauma in 3 cases. Average age at operation was 15.5 years (range, 9–40 years). At an average follow-up of 3.5 years (range, 2–6 years), there were 8 good, 2 fair and one poor results. Achieved lengthening ranged from 2 cm (10% of the original bone length) to 11 cm (110%). The average healing index was 40 days/cm. There were no neurovascular problems. Complications included pin tract infections in all cases, fracture of the regenerated bone in one case, breakage of a half pin in one case and increased carpal subluxation in another case. Combination of Ilizarov method and hybrid fixation provides a relatively safe method of forearm lengthening with possibility of deformity correction and gradual reduction of chronic dislocations.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hosny, G.A. Forearm lengthening. J Orthopaed Traumatol 6, 132–137 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10195-005-0096-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10195-005-0096-3

Key words