Case report: Distraction osteogenesis of focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia and literature review

Focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia (FFCD) is a rare disease of the ulna that requires early surgical intervention. We present a juvenile case and the outcomes of a corrected deformity. The fibrotic band that adhered to the ulna was resected, the ulna was osteotomized, and then an external fixator was placed for lengthening. The ulna's distal physis line was extended by 18 mm so that it would be the same length as the distal physis line of the radius. Full functional recovery occurred within three months. There have been 22 cases of ulnar FFCD reported in the literature. Our patient is the oldest reported thus far who developed radial head subluxation, but no dislocation occurred. FFCD is a broad-spectrum disease. Although its course is generally poor for patients with a late diagnosis, it is possible to obtain good results with correction procedures. •Although FFCD is mostly seen in the proximal tibia, the number of cases in the ulna in the literature is less than 25.•The excessive tissue excision and bone lengthening over ex-fix were obtained in three months with complete functions.•The ulnar-type FFCD, which can lead to radial head luxation, was first described by Kazuki in 2005.•Our patient is the oldest diagnosed patient in the literature with radial head subluxation yet no dislocation.