scholarly journals Modification of the use of the extensor retinaculum for reducible distal radioulnar joint instability: technique and results

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (8) ◽  
pp. 839-845 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Filius ◽  
J. M. Zuidam ◽  
J. B. Jaquet ◽  
H. P. Slijper ◽  
J. H. Coert

Different surgical techniques have been described for chronic distal radioulnar joint instability: they are often complicated, quite invasive and may not be recommended for bidirectional instability. We describe a procedure using a radial-based extensor retinaculum strip and a capsular plication. This is a simple technique and less invasive than ‘anatomic’ radioulnar ligament reconstructions. We report the results of 38 patients (38 wrists) who we treated. After a minimum of 8 months we quantified the outcomes of the patients objectively by assessing ranges of motion, grip strength and clinical assessment of stability, and subjectively using questionnaires. Overall, 36 out of 38 patients were stable after surgery. The operated forearm and wrist had approximately 3° less range of motion in all planes and 3 kgf less grip strength compared with the unoperated side. The median Mayo modified wrist score was 90; the median visual analogue scale score was 2. This surgical technique appears to successfully treat patients with chronic reducible distal radioulnar joint instability. Anatomic reconstruction of both radioulnar ligaments is not always necessary. Level of evidence: IV

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 909-915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Frantz ◽  
Elizabeth A. Helsper ◽  
Harry A. Morris ◽  
Bernard F. Hearon

This retrospective study investigated the clinical outcomes of patients treated for chronic distal radioulnar joint instability with open anatomic reconstruction of the palmar and dorsal radioulnar ligaments. After the midpoint of a tendon graft is anchored at the ulnar fovea, the two graft limbs traverse the distal radioulnar joint. One limb is woven into the palmar wrist capsule and the other is secured to the dorsal wrist capsule and retinaculum to stabilize the joint. Of 30 patients (31 wrists) treated with this technique, 19 were followed longitudinally for a mean of 10 years (range 3–21). In this long-term cohort, there were statistically significant improvements in ulnar-sided wrist pain on the visual analogue scale and in distal radioulnar joint stability on the dorsopalmar stress test. The modified Mayo Wrist Scores were classified as three excellent, 12 good, three fair and one poor. Of the 30 patients studied, failure occurred in four patients, two from graft rupture and two from distal radioulnar joint arthrosis. We conclude that anatomic reconstruction of the palmar and dorsal radioulnar ligaments is an effective treatment for distal radioulnar joint instability and is associated with high satisfaction and durable outcomes. Level of evidence: IV


2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 732-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. K. Andersson ◽  
P. Axelsson ◽  
J. Strömberg ◽  
J. Karlsson ◽  
J. Fridén

A total of 20 patients scheduled for wrist arthroscopy, all with clinical signs of rupture to the triangular fibrocartilage complex and distal radioulnar joint instability, were tested pre-operatively by an independent observer for strength of forearm rotation. During surgery, the intra-articular pathology was documented by photography and also subsequently individually analysed by another independent hand surgeon. Arthroscopy revealed a type 1-B injury to the triangular fibrocartilage complex in 18 of 20 patients. Inter-rater reliability between the operating surgeon and the independent reviewer showed absolute agreement in all but one patient (95%) in terms of the injury to the triangular fibrocartilage complex and its classification. The average pre-operative torque strength was 71% of the strength of the non-injured contralateral side in pronation and supination. Distal radioulnar joint instability with an arthroscopically verified injury to the triangular fibrocartilage complex is associated with a significant loss of both pronation and supination torque. Level of evidence: Case series, Level IV.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (02) ◽  
pp. e97-e104
Author(s):  
Ignacio Miranda ◽  
Francisco J. Lucas ◽  
Vicente Carratalá ◽  
Joan Ferràs-Tarragó ◽  
Francisco J. Miranda

Abstract Introduction Peripheral injuries of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) can produce pain and instability of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). There are several techniques for the reconstruction of the TFCC. The aim of the present paper was to summarize the tendon plasties of the DRUJ ligaments for the anatomic reconstruction of TFCC, to analyze the surgical techniques, and to evaluate their outcomes. Methods In order to perform a systematic review, we searched in the literature the terms DRUJ instability OR chronic distal radioulnar joint instability OR distal radioulnar tendon plasty. Results In total, 11 articles with level of evidence IV (case series) were retrieved. Most studies achieved good results, with recovery of wrist stability, improvement of the pain, and increase in grip strength in the functionality tests. In the historical evolution of the published series, wrist surgeons tried to perform a more anatomical plasty, with a more stable fixation and less invasive techniques. Conclusion The Adams procedure continues to be a valid and reproducible technique for the treatment of chronic DRUJ instability. If wrist arthroscopy and implants are available and surgeons have been technically trained, the authors recommend an arthroscopy-assisted technique, or, if possible, an all-arthroscopic TFCC reconstruction with implant fixation of the plasty in its anatomical points of insertion. Comparative studies between open and arthroscopic TFCC reconstruction techniques are needed.


2021 ◽  
pp. 175319342110484
Author(s):  
Lea Estermann ◽  
Lisa Reissner ◽  
Andrea B. Rosskopf ◽  
Andreas Schweizer ◽  
Ladislav Nagy

This study aimed to analyse the clinical and radiological outcomes after ulnar head replacement and to compare partial and total ulnar head implants. Twenty-two patients with 23 implants were available with a mean follow-up time of 7 years (range 1.3 to 17) after distal radioulnar joint arthroplasty. At the final follow-up, patients had a low level of pain at rest and during effort, a median Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score of 12 and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation score of 12 with partial ulnar head implants, and scores of 20 and 22 in total ulnar head implants, respectively. While the range of motion in patients with partial ulnar head implants was slightly reduced in comparison with the preoperative condition and to the patients with total ulnar head implants, there was a tendency to a higher grip strength and rotational torque. Both types of prosthesis showed sigmoid notch resorptions and resorptions around the neck. We conclude that the results after partial ulnar head replacement do not significantly differ from the total ulnar head implants in many aspects. Level of evidence: III


2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 521-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. T. Pickering ◽  
H. Nagata ◽  
G. E. B. Giddins

Assessment of distal radioulnar joint instability is clinically difficult and subjective. The distal radioulnar joint is postulated to ‘tighten’ in ulnar/radial deviation and pronation/supination. Using a rig, we measured mean distal radioulnar joint translation in neutral forearm rotation and neutral wrist radial and ulnar deviation, as well as extremes of wrist radial and ulnar deviation and forearm rotation. We tested the rig on ten cadaver forearms to validate the measurements we made. We tested 50 normal adults and 50 patients with clinical distal radioulnar joint instability. Distal radioulnar joint stability in men and women and on contralateral sides were comparable. Distal radioulnar joint translation decreased significantly with wrist radial and ulnar deviation and forearm pronation and supination, matching clinical practice and further validating the rig. The data in normal patients is comparable with previous computed tomography-based studies. Translation in all positions was statistically increased within the clinical instability group and did not cross-over with the normal ranges. Distal radioulnar joint translation is a physically measurable phenomenon. Our device appears to be a valid test of distal radioulnar joint translation, establishing normal data in vivo. Level of Evidence: III


2019 ◽  
Vol 08 (04) ◽  
pp. 268-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua A. Gillis ◽  
Endre Soreide ◽  
Joseph S. Khouri ◽  
Assaf Kadar ◽  
Richard A. Berger ◽  
...  

Objective The objective of this article is to evaluate the outcomes and complication rate for Adams–Berger anatomic reconstruction of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ), in addition, to determine the role of sigmoid notch anatomy on failure. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review to evaluate adult patients that had undergone reconstruction of the DRUJ for instability with the Adams–Berger procedure between 1998 and 2015 within our institution with > 24 months follow-up. Charts were reviewed for patient demographics, mechanism of injury, outcome, and complications. Results Ninety-five wrists in 93 patients were included. Mean age at surgery was 37.3 years with 65.2 months follow-up. At the last follow-up, 90.8% had a stable DRUJ, 5.3% did not, and 3.4% had some laxity. Postoperatively, 75.9% described either no pain or mild pain. Grip strength increased while pronosupination decreased. Procedure success was 86.3%, as 12 patients underwent revision at 13.3 months postoperatively. Reconstructive failure was more common in females when an interference screw was utilized for tendon fixation. Age, timing of surgery, type of graft, sigmoid notch anatomy, and previous surgery did not affect revision or failure rate. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that Adams–Berger reconstruction of the DRUJ provides reliable long-term results with an overall success of 86% at > 5 years follow-up. Level of evidence/Type of study This is a Level IV, therapeutic study.


2021 ◽  
pp. 175319342110542
Author(s):  
Greg Thomas Pickering ◽  
Nicola Francesca Fine ◽  
Thomas David Knapper ◽  
Grey Edward Bence Giddins

Accurate assessment of distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) stability is increasingly recognized as an important part of clinical examination of the wrist. The ability of 30 specialist UK hand surgeons to clinically determine the stability of four volunteers’ wrists was assessed. Volunteers’ wrist stability had previously been confirmed with a validated measurement rig. Use of the wrist ballottement test as the primary examination technique yielded a positive predictive value of 81%, a negative predictive value of 55%, a specificity of 94% and a sensitivity of only 24%, for the detection of DRUJ instability. No correlation between background speciality (orthopaedic versus plastic surgery), nor years of clinical experience was found. Clinical assessment of DRUJ instability among experienced clinicians appears unreliable and instability is typically under recognized. Previous research to date using this clinical assessment method as a parameter of success is therefore brought into question. Level of evidence: IV


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