Indications and early to mid-term results of ulnar head replacement

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the indications and show the early to mid-term results of ulnar head replacement for the treatment of pathological conditions of the distal radioulnar joint. Our study group comprised 52 patients with a mean age of 64 years who had 56 ulnar head replacements. Seven were implanted to salvage an unstable deletive procedure; the rest were for primary treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and trauma. Concomitant procedures along with the ulnar head replacement included wrist arthrodesis, joint replacement and tendon transfers. The follow-up duration ranged from 1 year to 11 years (mean: 60 months, median: 60 months). In almost all of the patients, pain improved with a median visual analogue scale score of 2 (mean: 2.2, range: 0-8) and a median DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score of 12.5 (mean: 17.9, range: 0-56). Of the 52 patients, 47 reported they would have the same procedure again. Ulnar head replacement appears to be a reliable and effective procedure solving several pathological problems of the distal radioulnar joint. We present a large patient group with a short to medium-term follow-up duration.