Conservative management of Madelung deformity: a case report.
Ozan Gür, Betül Çiftçi
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 30-year-old woman presented with right wrist pain and deformity. Examination showed volar displacement of the hand, dorsal prominence of the ulna, and restricted wrist motion; radiographs demonstrated a radially inclined radius and triangular carpal configuration, supporting a diagnosis of Madelung deformity. She received conservative care comprising splinting, activity modification, therapeutic ultrasound, cold packs, and exercise. At weeks 8 and 12, pain and patient-reported disability had improved from baseline, and range of motion and grip strength had increased, although deficits persisted compared with the unaffected wrist.
What made this case unusual
The report describes conservative management of Madelung deformity in a patient with no known etiological factors, an area the authors note is inadequately documented.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
In a patient with wrist deformity and restricted motion, the combination of volar hand displacement, dorsal ulnar prominence, a radially inclined radius, and triangular carpal configuration supported the diagnosis of Madelung deformity.
Why it matters
The case documents symptom and functional improvement with conservative care, while showing that gains did not fully restore symmetry with the unaffected wrist.