Can't place palms up, never broken bone

[Monkeymorgan]

What might cause me not to be able to put my hands palms up when my arms are extended? When I bend my arms in close to me I can put my palms up but if I extend them out my palms face each other like clapping. The only way to get my palms to lay flat when my arms are extended is to lean with my whole body. My dad and brother have the same thing but it isn't nearly as bad. I haven't broken any bones so that isn't it. My dad said it is caused by an extra bone in the elbow, but I have had x-rays of my elbows and nothing was ever noticed. Can you really grow extra bones in you elbows? What is another possible cause? Can I fix this kind of problem? Has anyone ever heard of such a thing before? The million dollar question is how will I get change in a drive through?

*I can add pics if you need them*

[AriannaM15]

Hello, my name is Arianna, I’m currently 23 years old. And I also have had this same problem since as long as I can remember. It never really became a problem or noticeable actually, until I had to learn how to jump rope in gym class one day. My teacher thought I was lying when I said I couldn’t turn my palms face up. She thought I was mocking her when I would turn to the side to force my arms to turn the other way. It feels really tight in my arms, right where my forearms are. I have to put my hand out to the side to take change from someone. Lol. But, my mom took me to the doctor once we found out, and the doctor said it had to do with my rotary cups in my shoulders. Which didn’t make sense to me, because it doesn’t hurt me near my shoulders, just by my forearms and elbows. They doctor told her that as long as it doesn’t cause me any pain and it doesn’t affect my every day life, that I should be okay.

[freddylaforge]

I have the exact same issue of not being able to place my hands palm up when my arms are fully extended in front of me. I am extremely interested in what you have learned about this condition.

[DPalya]

I have it also just in my right arm. I have a daughter my fear was that she would have it as my mom had it in both arms. My daughter doesn’t have thank God. Any doctor I have spoken to about it is clueless. I a,, 44 years old.

[Yeadude]

I have the  exact same problem! My left wrist is locked in one  position. I had  surgery on it years ago to remove a  bone spur that was stopping my  our joint from moving. It was unsuccessful and disappointing. Left with a bad as scare.  Looks like everyone on here feel my pain and I feel yours. Noticed my wrist problem when someone gave me M&M and they just rolled stright out of my hand because I couldn’t turn it haha. Would love to know if anyone has had a successful  operation?

[Anonymous1231002]

I have the exact same thing and as my arms have grown I have developed an extra bone in my elbow so instead of having one pointy bone I have two, it causes no pain and I have never broken a bone either... have you found any solutions to this problem?

[minamixxx]

I have this too. I was born with it but I can't remember what it was called. It's the result of your radio and ulna bones being conjoined. None of my family has it but it's very rare. My wrist can turn halfway but it won't go further. Few can't turn them at all but it shouldn't hurt unless you try to force it. This way you can break your bones by strain. You can tell your doctor and ask for surgery but it's very risky.

[Chloeee_]

I have exactly the same thing as you, was born with it, left arm, turn half way, and it's horrible, because I love playing instruments and it holds me back, I have breakdowns and try and force it and end up crying, I really am thinking of getting surgery

[Hassabdi]

Have exactly same problem,  my God help us

[Ells_24]

I have the same problem in both my arms but no-one else in my family has it

[Sjkdavies]

I have this issue but only in my left arm!! Can not turn my left wrist palm up! When I was born I didn't have any issues with my wrist, it was only up until I was 4 (I'm now 28) when I broke my arm and then 6 months later I broke the same arm again :(. Anyway the fact that I can't turn my left wrist palm up was only noticed when the cast came off. I've had the same encounter too - doctors taking hundreds of X-rays - 2 operations and in the end the only choice I got was that I could leave my arm wrist down or have an op to place it wrist up. I stuck with the first but I've never meet anyone with the same issue as me!! It would be nice if there was an operation that could give me full movement.

[Benggggg]

That is awesome. Sounds like a very exciting field of study.

I was wondering if anyone, specifically Andddddy,  knew any information of the genetic probability of inheriting this defect. It looks like it skips generations in my family, but I know that is not how genetics work. Also, I believe the people with the defect have increased dexterity (and possibly a higher IQ). I am basing these assumptions on my own family, which is a small sample size obviously.

I have the congenital defect as well. My older brother does not have it, my younger brother does. My father and his three sibling do not have it, however, I know that their father (my grandfather) did have it, unsure about his kin as they all passed away before I was born. I know he had it because of stories and pictures.

I do not think that this defect limits individuals physically in any significant way, my two brothers and I became All-Americans (each in a different sport) and played D-I. (SEC, ACC, Atl-10). In fact the two of us with the defect were much better athletes than the one without out it. The one without is by far the tallest/largest, so it is not because of any size advantage.

Could there be an advantage in dexterity caused by the limited movement? Like touch on a basketball/tennis racquet? The IQ thing is really just a shot at my older brother.

I doubt there any research exists on this topic (I've searched), but it would be very interesting to all of us with the defect.

Good luck on your PhD. I am debating whether or not to attempt to earn my PhD currently, albeit in an unrelated field (CS/Statistics).

[Cariloni]

I have just came across this thread and have often wondered what it is that I have got.  I'm 45 year old.  My dad had it too, and so has my sister.  It is always like a wedding scramble when I am handed change, as it falls everywhere on a floor.  I have to be careful when twisting my arm round as it catches the nerves in my neck and cause so much pain.  I am glad I now can research what is called - thank you x.

[meecepeece]

I have this too I realized during yoga because I could not relax while trying to hold my hand palm upward. It feels like they just won't turn, and do not when outstretched, only when bent like the first poster says. I've never seen X-rays of my arms however, to know if it is fused bones.

[Monkeymorgan]

Thank you all for responding! It was pointed out to me during gym class when we played volleyball. We joke in karate that I don't karate chop, I karate slap people.  How do you guys get change in a drive thru? I'm 20 years old and have never driven myself through one because I have no idea how I would get the change.

[katyyyy]

Hi there just wanted to say I have the same problem in my right wrist. I can not turn it palm up. Latley it has been extremly sore. it has affected my work I can't peel potatoes, use the slicer for to long, or over work it even driving hurts. Everyday it hurts. There for I seen a doctor my doctor was sick that day so I seen a different one and he told me it was from holding my baby to much. Witch officially I knew that was BS. I seen my family doctor whom sent me for a x ray and when I went for my results they were not sure what it was because they never seen it before (typing this in my phone rite now hurts so bad) anyways so after consulting with another surgeon they think it's possible the one bone is to long and the two are to close to each other . So they sent me for a CT scan and now I am just waiting for results go on Monday . And lately I'm getting sharp pains in my elbow.
It's so strange ... I never herd of anyone else having this problem.
Tha KS for listening .

[Andddddy]

The congenital disorder of the forearm you all are referring to is known as radioulnar synostosis. It occurs during fetal development as the bones in the arm are forming. The radius and ulna are originally one bone and they separate as the fetus develops. In the case of this disorder, the bines dont fully separate and a tiny bit of bone remains. This results in the malformation of the tendon at the head of the ulna near the elbow that allows for rotation. So even if the extra bone is removed and doesn't grow back, there is no way full rotation can be achieved. This disorder can occur in one or both arms and be inherited or randomly occur. It is very rare, but us the most common congenital disorder of the forearm. Surgery can be performed to place the hands at more optimal angles, such as palm up. I have this condition in both arms, and it has actually inspired me to go into biomedical engineering. I'm currently working on my earning my PhD and I'm interested in researching devices that can permanently solve this issue.

[rel14]

I have the same thing but in my right arm. I've always wondered if you can fix it? because I'm a righty and it makes situations kinda awkward sometimes when I have to bend my body to receive my change.

[Ash22stone]

I am 22 years old and was born with this condition on my left arm. I have always been curious about getting it sorted, it's a bit of a pain in life! I am a PE teacher so it makes teaching certain moves in sports impossible! As well as myself not being about to partake in some sports that I love! I went to southampton hospital when I was 16 to discuss it was a doctor. He basically had no time for me, came in the room said that I was lucky I didn't have it in both arms and said there was nothing he could do! He didn't wvwn bother to go over my x rays or anything! It was quite disheartening! I would be interested to research more about this! I found the actual name of it a while ago but i cannot remember it now which is a shame! It's quite a complicated name!

[Kute1966]

I was born with congenital elbow birth defect. Was discovered in 1980 when I was pre teen.  Had surgery 1984 on elbow to remove bone that was sticking too far out. I my right arm is shorter that left and I can't place my palm of hand facing up.

[sheriog89]

I have the same problem, no broken bones.I have also noticed a extra bump on my elbow that is very visible. Anyone experiencing this?

[JD1963]

Please let me know how the x-rays turn out. This is a very interesting condition! The fusion can be released (and remodeled) through surgery, no one should have to live with this! Best of luck jd1963!

[CaiteLogan]

Hey Katherine, I have the same symptom as you, but I don't know if it's because my radius and ulna bones are fused together, but I'm going to get x-rays soon. I was just wondering if you were able to fix it so you could put your palms flat facing up?

[Katherinedamerst]

Hi! I have the same problem but only in my left arm. I've had it all my life and I got an X-ray done very young that confirmed that my radius and ulna bones are fused together at the wrist making me unable to turn my palm up. I've never met anyone who's even heard of such a thing, which is why I'm commenting. I'm interested to know.

[Usherinfhdksmfnf]

I have the exact same problem and playing guitar is a challenge, let’s not even talk about violin and then other chores. I’ve had enough of it and I’m seeing the orthopedic doctor next week. Your case is exactly the same as mine and I had an X-ray five years ago and they told me the exact same thing but they said I might have had an accident or I probably fell when I was a baby or a toddler.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, this could be caused by extra bones; though a more likely possibility is an issue/ weakness with muscle that aids in unassisted movement of facing the palm up or the nerve that supplies it. This becomes less prominent in the assisted position as other muscles take over the function. If this can be improved or not is something that can only be decided after a detailed clinical evaluation. I would suggest consulting an orthopedician for the same.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!