Is short-term hand therapy effective in a child with congenital radioulnar synostosis? A case report.

STUDY

DESIGN

Case report.

INTRODUCTION

Congenital radioulnar synostosis (CRUS) is a rare malformation that causes the restriction of the rotational movements of the forearm, and it is common in congenital elbow anomalies.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of this case report was to present the results of physiotherapy in a patient with CRUS who did not undergo surgery.

METHODS

A 7-year-old male patient with CRUS began outpatient physical therapy. The child underwent a physiotherapy program for a total of 10 weeks in the presence of a physiotherapist, 2 days per week, and with a home schedule at other times. Observational posture assessment, range of motion measurements of the upper extremities, the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, finger and hand grip strength, and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure were used to evaluate the patient before and after the physiotherapy program.

RESULTS

An increase in Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, and grip strengths were found; however, there was no change in the range of motion values for our patient.

DISCUSSION: This report contains physiotherapy results of a patient with CRUS who did not undergo surgery. Further short- and long-term follow-up studies are needed to demonstrate the effects of physiotherapy on surgical and nonsurgical patients with CRUS.

CONCLUSIONS

Physiotherapy can be effective in the functional use of the upper extremities in patients with CRUS who do not undergo surgery; long-term follow-up would demonstrate whether functional changes are permanent over time.