Congenital absence of the radius.

Between 1971 and 1987, we treated 26 patients with congenital absence of the radius which had produced a club hand; 37 hands were affected. Treatment before the age of 8 months was by gentle manipulation and serial plasters. If a functional position was not obtained, and in patients over 8 months, surgical reduction was carried out. A modified Riordan procedure was used until 1983, and thereafter a double Z-plasty. The best results were achieved in patients under 4 years of age.