Radial deficiency (or radial longitudinal deficiency, RLD) is one of the most challenging conditions that I treat. We classify patients with RLD based on their bone development but that does not capture the underlying muscle and joint abnormalities. Reports on treatment including surgery have been mixed and that has led hospitals and doctors to have […]
Fixators for Lengthening. Fun?
External fixators are devices that rest outside of the skin. They can be used to stabilize broken bones (although not used very often for this purpose today) or to correct a short or angled extremity/ bone. We use fixators to lengthen small bones such as the thumb to allow pinch or to grow the forearm […]
Severe Radial Deficiency, Before and After
I have posted numerous times on radial longitudinal deficiency. The birth anomaly is common in my practice and I have been fortunate to meet many great kids and families with radial deficiency. A few posts can be seen HERE. Early in my career, as influenced by my training, most patients with radial deficiency were treated with […]
Severe Radial Deficiency- No slowing this kid down!
The absolute best part of my job is meeting so many great kids and great families. What other job allows daily inspiration, with each day being a bit different with a new story, a new set of expectations exceeded, and many, many smiles. This is the abbreviated story of one amazing child and family with […]
Not the Typical Thumb and Wrist
Radial Longitudinal Deficiency (RLD) has a wide range of presentations from a small, unstable thumb to major bone and soft tissue problems of the entire upper extremity. And yet, despite this wide range, most kids have a somewhat predictable appearance within a couple of different categories. I have shared my thoughts on these variations HERE, numerous […]
Rare Syndromes: Duane Syndrome with Radial Ray Anomaly
Duane Syndrome is an rare birth anomaly of the eyes in which the patient can’t move the eye outward. It has been know to exist for more than 100 years. But more recently it has been linked to a defect of the SALL4 gene and related to miswiring of the eye muscles or a missing […]
Wrist Deviation
Radial deficiency and ulnar deficiency are, for most children, easily distinguished. Radial deficiency, a condition about which I have blogged about on numerous occasions- see here – presents with a problem on the radial (thumb) side of the forearm and hand (mainly the thumb). The radius bone can be absent or limited and the extensor muscles are […]