Abstract

Congenital radioulnar synostosis is an infrequent malformation characterized by anomalous connection between the forearm bones. The patient characteristically presents with loss of forearm rotation movements with forearm fixed in pronation hindering their day to day activities requiring supination. The shoulder joint compensates to some extent for loss of rotatory movements of forearm, especially in subtle deformities. As far as the treatment is concerned, it ranges from merely observation to surgical intervention for restoring forearm rotations for optimal rehabilitation of the children. The case study presented here deserves reporting not only because of the rarity of the condition but also due to its tricky diagnosis at presentation owing to compensatory mechanism for forearm rotations. An attempt is also made to do briefly discuss the anatomical developmental defect during intra-uterine life leading to the congenital radioulnar synostosis.

Keywords

congenital, radius, ulna, synostosis, pronation, supination