Resection of the distal ulna with and without implant arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Eighteen patients who had rheumatoid wrist surgery with resection of the distal ulna, with or without implant arthroplasty, were reviewed at an average follow-up of 32 months. Subjective and objective clinical findings did not confirm any advantage to the routine use of implant arthroplasty of the distal ulna. Moreover, a bone resorptive process, which was identified in all implant cases, may cause clinical symptoms and prosthetic instability and may warrant reoperation. The histologic findings supported a granulomatous reaction to a foreign body as a cause of the resorptive process. Histologic examination showed a synovial type of membrane and the feasibility was raised of an enzymatic cause.