Radial aplasia (radial club hand) is a very rare condition that occurs in between 1 per 55,000 and 1 per 100,000 live births
where there is no development of the radius in the infants arm; this also causes the thumb not to develop.

This most commonly occurs to the right arm and has many possible causes. Sometimes other body systems are involved
(cardiac, haematological, spine, gastro-intestinal, renal) in various named syndromes such as Holt-Oram syndrome,
VATER/VACTERL Association or TAR syndrome.

Treatment depends on functional needs, and may include early splinting, surgery to centralise the wrist on the forearm and
prevention of radial drift of the hand. Secondary thumb reconstructive surgery may also be necessary.

Due to the muscles not being developed correctly there is no elbow joint as such; there is however a possibility of a joint
being made to allow more movement of the lower limb.

Another problem that has occurred is called Syndactyly, where 2 of the fingers are webbed together. Luckily this is a mild
form where only the skin appears to be webbed, and should be successful when operated on.

Radial Aplasia