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

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Congenital radioulnar synostosis; Hand function; Hand therapy; Physiotherapy.