Narrow Results

Six patients with post-traumatic distal radioulnar joint dorsal instability were treated with dorsal capsular reconstruction. This new technique of reconstruction requires less extensive dissection than the previously described methods in the literature and requires no tendon graft. A total of six patients treated from 1999 to 2001 were included in this study. Two were males and four were females. The average age of patients was 30 years and all the instabilities were secondary to trauma. One of them had associated minimally displaced distal radius fracture. All patients had arthrogram and arthroscopy done before the reconstruction and had no significant triangular fibrocartilage complex injury. The surgery consisted of duplication capsulorrhaphy of the dorsal capsular structures of the distal radioulnar joint. All patients had satisfactory results after the operations in terms of pain relief, range of motion and stability.

We report a rare case of irreducible chronic palmar dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). This case showed that the dislocated ulnar head was impacted to the palmar cortex of the radius probably due to the dynamic force of the pronator quadratus muscle. Re-attachment of the ulnar styloid and partial resection of the ulnar head were necessary to make the reduction of the DRUJ possible. The continuity of the radioulnar ligament to the ulnar head was restored and the stability of DRUJ was maintained after reduction.

Sixty-one wrists in 61 patients with osteoarthritis of the distal radioulnar joint treated by three consecutive procedures (20 Darrach, 25 Sauvé-Kapandji and 16 hemiresection-interposition arthroplastic procedures) were retrospectively evaluated. We preferred to perform Darrach's procedure in even the early stages of osteoarthritis of the distal radioulnar joint prior to introduction of Sauvé-Kapandji and hemirestion-interposition arthroplastic procedures. Subsequently the hemirestion-interposition arthroplasty was indicated when the triangular fibrocartilage cartilage was intact or could be reconstructed and the Sauvé-Kapandji when the triangular fibrocartilage complex could not be reconstructed or there was positive ulnar variance of more than 5 mm even though the triangular fibrocartilage complex was functional. Patient's age at operation averaged 59.8 years. There were 36 men and 25 women. There were 38 primary and 23 secondary osteoarthritis cases. Post-operative pain, range of motion, grip strength, return to work status; and radiographic results were evaluated. At the five- to 14-year (average, ten years) follow-up evaluation, relief of pain from Darrach procedure was inferior to the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure and hemiresection-interposition arthroplasty although this was not statistically significant. After both the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure and hemiresection-inteposition arthroplasty, post-operative improvements in flexion and extension of the wrist had statistical significance. Post-operative improvements in pronation and supination of the forearm showed statistical significances after all procedures. Improvements of post-operative grip strength and return to an original job in the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure and hemiresection-interposition arthroplasty were statistically superior to those with a Darrach's procedure. There were many post-operative complications following the Darrach's procedure. Darrach's procedure is better indicated for severe osteoarthritic changes of the distal radioulnar joint in elderly patients. We believe the operative indications between the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure and hemiresection-interposition arthroplasty are best determined prior to surgery by the existence and status of the triangular fibrocartilage complex and the amount of the positive ulnar variance.

The pain of distal radioulnar arthrosis in rheumatoid patients is often due to disease largely confined to the radioulnar rather than the ulnocarpal articulation. This is a retrospective study of 14 patients (14 wrists) who underwent selective shaving of the radial articulation of the ulnar head leaving the ulnocarpal articulation intact. The ulnar head is reduced to the circumference of its shaft and a dorsal retinacular flap is interposed between it and the distal radius. Average age of the patients and follow-up were 63.5 years and 31 months, respectively. All patients had rheumatoid arthritis. Pain improved in 14 out of 15 wrists. Overall results were 67% good to excellent and 33% fair based on the modified Mayo's wrist score. This novel procedure for DRUJ arthrosis produces predictable pain relief in low demand rheumatoid patient.

Healed distal radial fractures are frequently complicated by chronic wrist pain which is multifactorial and can be debilitating. An accurate delineation of the pathoanatomy is the key for successful treatment. This study reviewed 22 patients who had surgical treatment between 1997 and 2001 for chronic wrist pain after distal radial fracture. Four patterns of pathoanatomy were identified: (1) ulnar impaction caused by radial malunion and shortening; (2) ulnar styloid non-union; (3) triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears with or without distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability; and (4) intercarpal ligament injuries and chondral lesions. Surgical treatment directed towards identified abnormalities gave satisfactory outcome. At six months after surgery the mean functional score improved 36%, mean pain score decreased 50%, mean grip strength improved 25%, and 64% of patients returned to work.

Joint incongruity at radiocarpal joint is a common complication of the distal radius fracture, and has received much attention and study. However, the problem and outcome of treatment of intra-articular incongruity at the sigmoid notch after distal radius fracture is rarely reported. We describe a patient with deformity of the distal radioulnar joint, and impairment of supination after distal radius fracture. The evaluation of the distal radioulnar joint revealed the absence of degenerative arthritis and malunion of the sigmoid notch of the distal radius with a prominent volar lip limiting supination. We present a method of corrective osteotomy for the malunited sigmoid notch of the distal radius, to correct the incongruity of the distal radioulnar joint and restore supination.

The diagnosis of chronic wrist pain is challenging and wrist arthroscopy has been recognised as the "gold standard". The present study investigated the efficacy of adding distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) arthroscopy to routine wrist arthroscopy. The records of 67 patients who underwent DRUJ arthroscopy were reviewed, and the success rates for visualisation of intra-articular structures were determined. Pathological findings were correlated with ulnar-side wrist pain. In seven patients, pre-operative diagnoses were altered after DRUJ arthroscopy. The ulnar head and proximal surface of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) were visualised in 100% and 99% of patients, respectively, while the foveal insertion of TFCC and sigmoid notch were visualised in 57% and 69%, respectively. Pathological findings of the proximal surface of TFCC tended to relate to ulnar wrist pain (p = 0.06). DRUJ arthroscopy should be included in routine wrist arthroscopy to enhance the accuracy of diagnosis.

Acute plastic bowing is an incomplete fracture with a deformation that shows no obvious macroscopic fracture line or cortical discontinuity. Although cases of acute plastic bowing of the ulna with a dislocation of the radial head have been previously reported, we present here a rare case of acute plastic bowing of the radius with a distal radioulnar joint injury in a 16-year-old boy. Internal fixation of the detached fragment to the ulnar styloid and repair of the triangular fibrocartilagenous complex resulted in the disappearance of wrist pain. In cases of distal radioulnar joint injuries in children or adolescents, radiographs of the entire forearm should be taken to evaluate the existence of radial bowing.

Wrist arthroscopy has been successfully used with many modifications and improvements. However, distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) arthroscopy is still uncommon. We experienced 2 cases of ulnar-sided wrist pain due to isolated triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) disk tear within the DRUJ. DRUJ arthroscopy in these cases showed horizontal tear and fibrillation of TFCC disk without TFCC tear at the radiocarpal joint. Foveal attachment was intact in both cases. These were treated with debridement, which relieved pain after surgery and achieved good functional recovery. Although DRUJ arthroscopy is technically difficult, it is mandatory for making a diagnosis and treating ulnar-sided wrist pain.

Primary synovial chondromatosis is a proliferation of cartilaginous bodies within the synovial membrane, tendon sheath or bursa. It is a rare orthopaedic entity especially when it occurs in the distal radioulnar joint. We report a 27-year-old man with recurrent synovial chondromatosis, nine years after his first operation. Although rare, synovial chondromatosis must be considered in the differential diagnosis in a patient with pain and swelling of the distal radioulnar joint. From our literature review, we report a 17% (5/30) recurrence rate for synovial chondromatosis involving the wrist joint which has not been documented in the medical literature previously.

Isolated volar dislocation of the distal ulna without forearm fracture is very rare; however, this injury is incorrectly diagnosed in approximately 50% of cases. This injury can lead to a significant functional disability if left untreated. This report presents a case of isolated volar dislocation of the distal ulna with an ulnar styloid fracture. The dislocation was subsequently reduced, the styloid was surgically repaired, and the patient was satisfied at the last follow-up. The importance of a proper clinical examination and an accurate radiographic position of the wrist are stressed. Furthermore, clinical evaluation of the distal radioular joint after reduction is important in achieving good results. There are various strategies for the treatment of distal radioulnar joint after reduction, including conservative treatment or surgical treatment. We believe that surgical exploration could have been carried out at an earlier stage had such a lesion been suspected.

Additional case reports of other instances of successful treatment are needed to educate orthopaedic surgeons and emergency medical technicians on the nature of this type of injury.

The advantage of preserving the distal radioulnar joint in wrist disarticulation is that full forearm rotation is possible if the joint is intact, which improves the capability of the amputee. The Sauvé-Kapandji procedure has been performed to treat rheumatoid or post-traumatic chronic instability and/or arthritis of the distal radioulnar joint. We report a patient with wrist disarticulation that presented to us with limited supination of the wrist due to an injured distal radioulnar joint. We performed the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure, and the patient could regain functional supination of the forearm without losing the ulnar styloid flare that improved prosthetic suspension. This case suggests that the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure can be performed to maintain the advantage of wrist disarticulation even when the initial trauma involves an irreparable injury of the distal radioulnar joint.

Background: Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are frequent and often complicated by distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) dysfunction which may pass unnoticed at the outset leading to adverse effects on the hand function. This study aims to detect clinical and radiological features suggestive of DRUJ dysfunction and its functional effects in conservatively treated DRF.

Methods: Retrospective observational study including 43 patients with healed conservatively treated DRF were studied for features of DRUJ dysfunctions. Patients’ demographic, clinical and radiological data were examined and compared to those of contralateral uninjured wrist. Computerized tomography (CT) scan examination to assess DRUJ congruency and instability was done for all cases. Correlation between clinical features suggesting DRUJ dysfunction with radiological parameters, CT findings and functional outcome was done using quick DASH score.

Results: There is significant reduction of extension, supination and radial deviation with a significantly higher (visual analogue scale (VAS)) and (DASH) scores in the injured wrist as compared with contralateral side.

Clinical examination of the DRUJ in 43 DRF showed that 13 (30.2 %) have ulnar sided tenderness and four (9.3%) have positive ulnar abutment test with significantly higher pain and disability scores and six patients (13.9%) have positive piano key sign with significant pain score only.

Ulnar abutment test also significantly is related to radiological findings. CT scan examination of the DRUJ showed 21 cases (48.8%) with DRUJ incongruence, which is significantly correlated to ulnar abutment test, piano key sign, diminished mean radial height and higher ulnar variance.

Conclusion: Conservatively treated DRF with clinical features of DRUJ dysfunction shows a lower functional outcome with increased ulnar variance and decreased radial height. DRUJ incongruence and instability on CT scan was significantly associated with clinical signs, diminished mean radial height and higher ulnar variance.

Objectives: The study was to establish a precise three-dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM) of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) and then to validate its accuracy for the application to the research on clinical biomechanics. Materials and methods: The right forearm DRUJ of a volunteer (male, 28 years old, 62 kilograms) was scanned by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The resulting sectional images were input into MIMICS10.1 and ANSYS10.0 to generate 3D FEM of the DRUJ. With this FEM, the bending load, axial compression load and the torsion load conditions were simulated, and the vonmises stress distribution of the DRUJ was detected. The simulation results were compared with the biomechanics experiment results which were reported by the literatures. Results: The constructed FEM consisted of 333,805 elements and 508,384 nodes. Together, the simulation results with this FEM were in consistent with those of the reported experiments in bending load, axial compression load and torsion load conditions. Discussion: The 3D FEM of the DRUJ can reflect the real geometric structure of the DRUJ objectively and the simulation with this FEM can predict the results of the biomechanics experiments successfully.

The distal ulna is composed of the ulnar styloid, ulnar head, and distal ulnar metaphyseal area. Most of distal ulnar metaphyseal fractures are associated with distal radius fractures and this incidence tends to be greater in osteoporotic elderly. Consideration of the treatment of distal ulna metaphyseal fracture should be addressed after treating a distal radius fracture. If it is stable, cast immobilization is preferred, however, if it shows malalignment or instability, an operative method should be considered. More than half of distal radius fractures are combined with an ulnar styloid fracture, and considerable cases of ulnar styloid fractures result in nonunion. However, ulnar styloid nonunion usually does not cause any problems on the wrist. Recent studies of distal radius fractures treated using a volar locking plate have reported that neither the initial displacement nor the size of a concomitant ulnar styloid fracture affects clinical outcome, which suggests surgical approaches may usually not be indicated for ulnar styloid fractures.

The distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) allows forearm rotation and load transmission across the wrist. Post-traumatic and degenerative joint disease of DRUJ may cause pain and disability. Deficiency of the soft tissue or bony supports may result in DRUJ instability. Various techniques have been developed to address arthritis and / or instability of the DRUJ. A comprehensive review of the spectrum of surgical techniques and arthroplasty options is presented. The concepts of these procedures are discussed in detail, with a focus on special points of interest to optimise outcomes and to avoid complications. The salvage of the complications of arthroplasties is also presented in detail.

Background: This purpose of the study was to conduct a systematic review of available literature regarding the association between ulnar variance and outcomes after repair of peripheral traumatic tears of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC).

Methods: A systematic literature search of the medical literature about peripheral tears of the TFCC was performed. We selected seven studies comparing clinical outcome and ulnar variance in patients with peripheral TFCC tears. We evaluated quality of the articles using both the Structured Effectiveness Quality Evaluation Scale (SEQES) and Sackett’s Level of Evidence (LOE). The outcomes were objective or self-assessment scoring systems for the function of the hand, wrist, or upper extremity.

Results: Seven articles were evaluated. The SEQES scores varied from 19 to 28, with a mean of 23. Five studies reported no association between ulnar variance and clinical outcome, and 2 studies reported an association. The studies reporting no association either excluded or did not mention the cases of unstable distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ).

Conclusions: This systematic review did not demonstrate strong evidence regarding the association between ulnar variance and outcomes after TFCC repair. As most of the studies did not distinguish between capsular and foveal tears which can affect DRUJ stability, further studies looking at this point are necessary to determine whether ulnar shortening osteotomy has an added value for better outcomes after TFCC repair.

Background: Since the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure was introduced in 1936, many modifications were created using dynamic stabilizer, such as the ECU (extensor carpi ulnaris), the FCU (flexor carpi ulnaris), pronator teres to solve proximal ulnar stump pain. We believe that this modification is also another option for distal ulnar stump instability.

Methods: From January 1998 to February 2017, there were 13 patients received the Sauvé-Kapandji (S-K) procedure with tenodesis of the ECU to the carpus and interosseous membrane. The average age at operation was 52 years (range, 28 to 63 years). Four had traumatic arthritis (two from distal radial fracture malunion, two had instability of distal radioulnar joint from Essex-Lopresti injury), four had primary osteoarthritis of the distal radio-ulnar joint, two had rheumatoid arthritis, one had gouty arthritis, two had madelung deformity. The average follow-up was 30 months (range, 15 to 72 months).

Results: Postoperative pronation/supination of the forearm had significantly improved with the exception of the wrist flexion/extension. After surgery, the mean radioulnar distance was narrowed from 11 mm to 9 mm, but no significant difference in 12 patients. All patients had improved in wrist pain, 10 patients had no pain and 3 patients with mild pain over the distal ulnar stump. The mean grip strength had significantly improved from 51% of the contralateral side to 75%. The lateral and stress X-ray films showed no instability of the distal ulnar stump after surgery.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the modified S-K procedure using the tenodesis of ECU provides a multi-directional stability and is a reliable surgical procedure for distal radioulnar disorders.

Growth arrest following paediatric distal radius and ulnar fractures infrequently results in a symptomatic deformity. The distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) plays a complex role in the motion of the wrist, allowing for forearm rotation, and acceptable reconstruction options are limited when severe deformity does occur. We present a case of symptomatic severe post traumatic growth arrest of the distal radioulnar joint which was treated by osteotomy and Scheker total distal radioulnar joint arthroplasty.