Madelung’s deformity is a congenital abnormality of the wrist caused by a growth disturbance that retards development of the ulnar and volar portions of the distal radial physis.

The eponym gives credit to Madelung, who described this entity. Carpus curvus, radius curvus, and progressive subluxation of the wrist, manus valgus, and manus furca are other terms used for this condition.

The primary deformity is bowing of the distal end of the radius, which in the most typical form curves in a volar diorection while the ulna continues to grow in a straight line. The distal ends of the radius and ulna are at different levels in the lateral plane. That of the ulna has maintained its original normal position, while that of the radius has curved down to a volar level. [Read more...]