[A rare inferior dislocation of the distal radio-ulnar joint caused by spontaneous post-fracture epiphysiodesis of the radius].

The authors report a case of radial deviated hand following fracture of the distal forearm bones in a seven year old child who was not followed-up after minimal initial treatment. They discuss the mechanism of this deformity due to growth disturbances affecting the extremities of the two bones of the forearm, especially the distal radius which stopped growing at the time of the accident, resulting in relative-shortening of the radius of 25 mm in relation to the ulna and 90 mm in relation to the healthy side. The injured ulna consequently slowed its rate of growth without stopping altogether. Treatment was not designed to restore normal length of the forearm, but to satisfy the patient's desire to straighten the hand without interfering with function. The Kapandji-Sauvé technique allowed correction of this deviation while maintaining stability of the wrist and restored a normal range of hand movement. Apart from global shortening of the forearm, this technique can be considered to have given the patient a normal hand.