Ulnar Head Implant Arthroplasty

• DOI: 10.1097/bth.0b013e3181b4c52d
• Publication Date: 2009-09-02T07:15:25Z
• Authors: Nancy Yen Shipley; Greg R. Dion; William H. Bowers
• Keywords: Druj; Wrist pain

Ulnar head arthroplasty has been an emerging alternative for salvage of resection at the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) since early 1990s. Recently, it offered initially treating painful arthrosis or instability DRUJ. This follow-up study reports a surgeon's experience DRUJ disorders with ulnar arthroplasty. Twenty-two wrists in 20 patients (11 females, 9 males), 6 no prior wrist procedures were treated between 1995 and 2006 either Herbert-Martin (Martin Medizin-Technik, Tuttingen, Germany) Avanta (Small Bone Innovations, New York, NY) prosthesis. Follow-up averaged 54.3 months. A standardized telephone survey determined preoperative /postoperative verbal analog pain scores modified Mayo Wrist Score (delineating poor, fair, good, excellent outcomes). Data suggest that implant is reasonable treatment option DRUJ-related pain, loss function, failed ulna procedures. The score statistically significant decreased by 1.68 points when comparing to postoperative scores. Average Modified Scores independent whether procedure was primary salvaged. No difference seen group Scores. Whereas both groups good category, prostheses used as may be associated fewer poor fair outcomes. Two 1 outcome 3 requiring revision even arthroplasty, satisfactory results expected.