ABSTRACT
The functional impact of mild to moderate forearm shortening is minimal; examples are seen in bony and chondrodysplasias where a symmetrical limb shortening is often present and is compensated for with little effort. This is despite the forearm being half of the total length of the upper extremity. Osteochondromas on the radius and ulna in children with hereditary multiple osteochondromatosis can affect forearm growth. While it is more common for ulnar shortening to occur with juxtaphyseal osteochondromas on that bone, radial shortening can occur with similarly located lesions. Disproportionate shortening of one forearm bone produces deformity and loss of function. Either the radius or ulna may be responsible or treatment is offered to address those components which produce greatest disability. Lengthening of the short bone is a component of the surgical strategy; treatment often includes corrective osteotomies, physeal bar excisions, shortening the long bone, wrist centralisation and tendon transfers depending on the underlying problem.
