Madelung disease: a case report

Abstract

Madelung's deformity is an anomaly characterized by subluxation of the carpus in relation to the forearm, that is, a progressive volar inclination of the ulna in relation to the distal articular surface of the radius. It commonly affects women and is bilateral, manifesting at the end of childhood. It can be caused by genetic changes, or after trauma, infection or neoplasia. The present report addresses a 13-year-old patient who complained of pain in the wrist with painful irradiation to the forearm. On radiography, abnormalities were identified in the radius, ulna and carpal bones. Due to its low complexity, a conservative treatment for symptom relief was chosen, with no provision for surgical procedures. Nevertheless, surgery can be an alternative to correct severe cases and relieve persistent pain. It consists of the dome osteotomy, which provides better volar coverage to the lunate and has a high success rate, mainly in the resolution of pain.