[Ulnar head prosthesis]

Clinical outcome and survival rate of the Herbert ulnar head prosthesis for reconstruction of the distal radioulnar joint depending on co-morbidity and different indications

INTRODUCTION

Ulnar head prostheses have been developed to restore the integrity of the DRUJ and relieve pain. This study aims to evaluate the long-term outcome of the clinical and radiographic results as well as the survival rate of the Herbert ulnar head prosthesis (UHP) depending on co-morbidity and different indications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Herbert ulnar head prosthesis was implanted in 62 patients. In the majority of the patients, the indication was given due to pain during forearm rotation. This was on account of painful instability of the distal ulna following Bowers (59.7%) or Kapandji procedure (16.1%), Darrach procedure (8.1%) or painful post-traumatic (12.9%) or primary osteoarthritis (3.2%). Of the 62 patients, 34 were men and 28 women. The mean age at the time of operation was 49 years (range 18-84 years). A clinical and radiographic evaluation was performed including pain scale, range of motion, grip strength and the DASH and modified Mayo wrist scores.

RESULTS

The average follow-up was 84.5 months (range 8-206 months), and statistically significant reduction of pain was observed (p < 0.05). The range of motion of pro- and supination improved slightly, but not significantly, whereas the DASH score improved significantly from 56 to 43 (p < 0.05). Patients without an arthrodesis achieved better results in the DASH and in the modified Mayo wrist score. In 39 cases, a small amount of bone resorption was seen at the collar of the prosthesis in the follow-up radiographs. A revision surgery was necessary in 14 patients. The Kaplan-Meier survival rate after 15 years was 90.3%.

CONCLUSION

The long-term results of the UHP are encouraging regardless of different indications with a survival rate of more than 90% 7 years following surgery, high patient satisfaction and good clinical and radiographic results.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

[Treatment of the ulnar impingement syndrome in the distal radioulnar joint]

Ligamentous stability and joint congruity are prerequisites for a physiological function of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). Impingement of the ulnar head may be caused by a congenital ulna-minus variance or by an iatrogenically excessive ulna shortening osteotomy. This impingement is detected by a positive compression test at the DRUJ. Radius correction osteotomy with shortening and correction of the radial inclination to restore the sigmoid notch may solve the problem by reducing the pressure between both joint partners and by promoting the remodelling of the DRUJ. This technique may restore the distal radioulnar joint and thus prevent the necessity of salvage procedures.

Distal radioulnar joint arthroplasty with implants: a systematic review

A severely painful, dysfunctional, or destroyed distal radio-ulnar joint (DRUJ) can be reconstructed by fusion, interposition of soft tissue, or by arthroplasty using prostheses.

The objective of this study was to review the literature on implants and evaluate their effectiveness in terms of pain relief, range of motion and longevity.

A search was carried out using protocols and well-defined criteria in PubMed, the Cochrane Library and by screening reference lists. The review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines.

Of the 27 publications reporting on nine different implants, we excluded reports with less than five cases and silastic replacements of the ulna head. Eighteen publications describing a total of five implants were selected for analysis. Nine of the publications were useful for the evaluation of implant longevity. Despite methodological shortcomings in many of the source documents, a summary estimate was possible.

It seems that DRUJ implants have good potential to improve function through pain reduction; an improvement was observed in 17 series, although it was significant in only seven series.

Instability is not uncommon with ulna head-only implants, but they cause fewer clinical problems and re-interventions than might be expected.

The risk of deep infection is small with the available implants.

Overall implant survival in papers with at least five years’ follow-up is 95%, with a slightly better longevity of 98% for the constrained implants.

Periprosthetic osteolysis/radiolucency is frequently reported. Its causes and consequences are not clarified.

Cite this article: Calcagni M, Giesen T. Distal radioulnar joint arthroplasty with implants: a systematic review. EFORT Open Rev 2016;1:191-196. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.1.160008.

Distal Radioulnar Joint Arthroplasty with a Scheker Prosthesis

We report a case of distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) arthroplasty with a Scheker prosthesis. Arthropathy of the DRUJ can occur as the result of a variety of mechanisms, including inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis. Resection of the distal ulna is often performed to relieve pain at the DRUJ. However, this can also disrupt the stability of the entire forearm, leading to convergence instability of the stump of the ulna against the radius. Several DRUJ prostheses have been developed to replace the mechanical function of the ulnar head in patients with pain related to distal ulnar resection and post-traumatic arthritis. However, most of them are designed to be used in patients with intact soft tissue and stabilizing ligaments at the DRUJ. These devices, therefore, are not appropriate for use in patients who have undergone resection of the DRUJ. The Scheker prosthesis was designed for patients who are symptomatic after ablation of the DRUJ from trauma or prior surgical resection. It uses a two plate and ball design, which has a unique appearance on post-operative radiographs.

Periprosthetic fracture of the ulna-a case report

After resection of the radial head, the load transmission through the forearm is changed dramatically. Most of the axial load is transmitted to the ulna. This can happen through the interosseous membrane, if intact, thus preventing proximal migration of theradius. However, radial head resection entails some slacking of the interosseous membrane, thereby reducing its ability to transmit load. In traumatic lesions of the interosseous membrane there is no limit to the proximal migration of the radius until the ulnar head abuts on the carpus. In both cases the load transmitted by the ulna increases dramatically and can promote fractures thereof. A 52-year-old, right-handed male patient presented with a periprosthetic fracture of the right ulna 6 weeks after implantation of an ulna head prosthesis. He had previously undergone radial head excision for malunion of the radial head and secondary humeroradial osteoarthritis. This operation had reduced pain and improved the range of motion at the elbow but entailed degenerative arthritis and related symptoms at the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). From the spectrum of possible treatment options, ulnar head resurfacing/hemiprosthesis was elected and performed without intraoperative or postoperative irregularities. However, 6 weeks postoperatively, as he was lifting a heavy object, a periprosthetic fracture of the ulna occurred, which ultimately was treated successfully by open reduction and plate fixation. Plate fixation of periprosthetic fractures is an established treatment concept after excluding implant loosening. Periprosthetic fracture of the ulna seems to be a rare complication but can be treated similarly.

Malunion of the distal radius

Fractures of the distal radius are extremely common injuries, which are steadily becoming a public health issue. One of the most common complications following distal radius fractures is still malunion of the distal radius. This review of the literature surrounding distal radius malunion covers the biomechanics of distal radial malunion, treatment options, indications for surgery, surgical techniques, and results.

INDICATIONS FOR DISTAL RADIOULNAR ARTHROPLASTY: REPORT ON THREE CLINICAL CASES

Distal radioulnar arthroplasty is an attractive solution for treating various pathological conditions of the distal radioulnar joint because it allows restoration of stability, load transmission and function. The main indications are: radioulnar impingement after partial or complete resection of the distal ulna; and degenerative, inflammatory or post-traumatic arthritis of the distal radioulnar joint. The authors present three clinical cases of distal radioulnar pathological conditions: two patients with post-traumatic sequelae and one case of distal radioulnar impingement after a Sauvé-Kapandji operation. The three cases were treated surgically with a metallic prosthesis to replace the distal ulna (First Choice - Ascension^®). The first two were treated with a resurfacing prosthesis and the last one with a modular prosthesis. All of the patients had achieved pain relief and increased movement of the distal radioulnar joint after one year of postoperative follow-up.

Current concepts and treatment for the rheumatoid wrist

Wrist involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is common. Within 2 years of diagnosis, more than half of patients will have wrist pain, and more than 90% will have wrist disease by 10 years. Although wrist involvement is generally thought to be less disabling than RA of the fingers and hand, it can be a significant cause of pain and disability. Severe disease with bony destruction and synovitis in the wrist can also result in soft-tissue problems including tendon ruptures. In addition to musculoskeletal involvement, systemic manifestations of RA can occur. Felty syndrome can result in a low white blood count and splenomegaly in association with RA. New generation, disease-modifying pharmacologic agents offer promise in controlling the disease progression. Surgical treatments for the diseased wrist are aimed at relieving pain and restoring function. Common procedures include: synovectomy and tenosynovectomy, tendon reconstruction, distal ulnar resection and/or distal radioulnar joint reconstruction, partial and full wrist arthrodesis, and total wrist arthroplasty.

A study of functional outcomes following implantation of a total distal radioulnar joint prosthesis

This paper reports a long-term follow-up measuring pain, range of motion and weight-bearing ability, following implantation of a total distal radioulnar joint prosthesis. This prosthesis differs from excision arthroplasties and ulnar head replacements by replacing all three components of the distal radioulnar joint, viz. the sigmoid notch, the ulnar head and the triangular fibrocartilage. The design allows longitudinal migration of the radius throughout pronation and supination, as well as load bearing of the wrist. Thirty-one patients receiving the prosthesis returned or were interviewed by telephone at a mean of 5.9 (range 4-9) years. Pronation increased from a mean of 65.5 degrees (range 5-90 degrees ) to 74 degrees (range 20-90 degrees ) and supination from 53 degrees (range 5-90 degrees ) to 70 degrees (range 20-90 degrees ) while greatly diminishing and/or eliminating pain. Grip increased from a mean of 10 kg (22 lbs) to 24 kg (52 lbs). Weight bearing was restored or increased in 29 of 31 patients.

Korrektureingriffe nach distaler Radiusfraktur

After a fracture of the distal radius, especially with malunion, many patients complain of a decreased range of forearm rotation and pain on the ulnar side of the wrist. The purpose of this article is to describe the therapeutic options available in such cases. Decision making as to whether there is an indication for corrective surgery or not is based on the patient's symptoms and the clinical findings, whereas the decision as to which surgery to perform must take into account the radiological findings. If possible, reconstruction of the anatomy using a distal radius osteotomy should be carried out.

Ulnar head replacement

Recent years have seen an increasing awareness of the anatomical and biomechanical significance of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). With this has come a more critical approach to surgical management of DRUJ disorders and a realization that all forms of "excision arthroplasty" can only restore forearm rotation at the expense of forearm stability. This, in turn, has led to renewed interest in prosthetic replacement of the ulnar head, a procedure that had previously fallen into disrepute because of material failures with early implants, in particular, the Swanson silicone ulnar head replacement. In response to these early failures, a new prosthesis was developed in the early 1990s, using materials designed to withstand the loads across the DRUJ associated with normal functional use of the upper limb. Released onto the market in 1995 (Herbert ulnar head prosthesis), clinical experience during the last 10 years has shown that this prosthesis is able to restore forearm function after ulnar head excision and that the materials (ceramic head and noncemented titanium stem), even with normal use of the limb, are showing no signs of failure in the medium to long term. As experience with the use of an ulnar head prosthesis grows, so does its acceptance as a viable and attractive alternative to more traditional operations, such as the Darrach and Sauve-Kapandji procedures. This article discusses the current indications and contraindications for ulnar head replacement and details the surgical procedure, rehabilitation, and likely outcomes.

Stellenwert der Endoprothetik im Bereich der Handchirurgie

Alloarthroplasty has largely replaced traditional procedures in arthrosis of hip and knee joints. In contrast the role of alloarthroplasty in comparison to traditional procedures in hand surgery has been uncertain. To evaluate this question every registered hand surgery department (n=307) in Germany received a questionnaire requesting information on number and type of implanted prostheses and traditional procedures concerning the wrist joint, distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ), first carpometacarpal joint (CMC), metacarpal phalangeal joint (MP), interphalangeal joint (PIP), and preferred characteristics of the prostheses. Of the 307 hand surgery departments, 150 (57% of the hospitals and 42% of the visiting surgeons) participated in the inquiry. Per year, only 98 wrist prostheses were implanted (distributed among five different models) but 1534 traditional procedures were performed. The Sauve-Kapandji procedure was the most popular for the DRUJ and was performed 264 times per year. In comparison 24 hemiarthroplasties were implanted at the DRUJ. Trapezectomy remains the standard procedure for arthrosis of the first CMC joint (n=1399). The future importance of alloarthroplasty of the CMC joint is doubted by the majority of participating hand surgeons (90.3%). In contrast the majority (85.3/71.8%) is convinced that alloarthroplasty will be of importance for the MCP and PIP joints, respectively. Currently, the number of implanted prostheses is close to the number of traditional procedures performed at the MP joint. Irrespective of the joint involved, cementless anchorage is preferred as is the surface replacement anatomical design. The results confirm that alloarthroplasty in hand surgery is of minor importance. Thus, the role of alloarthroplasty differs depending on the joint involved. Traditional procedures except for the MP joint continue to be of major importance in hand surgery.

[Salvage operations and their differential indication for the distal radioulnar joint]

The most common cause of an arthritically damaged distal radioulnar joint is a malunion of a distal radius fracture. Therapeutically, ulnar head resection, hemiresection-interposition-technique, Kapandji-Sauvé procedure and implantation of an ulnar head prosthesis have been described. None of these procedures is able to restore the complete function of the joint. Therefore, anatomical reconstruction of the joint in acute or secondary correction osteotomy for malunited fractures of the distal radius should be performed to avoid the development of the arthrosis. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated a similar reduction of the clinical symptoms for all procedures. Therefore, classification of the different procedures has to consider the number of complications. Biomechanically, partial resection of the distal ulna will destabilize the distal radioulnar context and clinically may lead to painful radioulnar and/or dorsopalmar instability of the distal ulnar stump. Biomechanically and clinically, this complication, next to secondary extensor tendon ruptures, has to be expected far more often following complete resection of the ulnar head than in the alternative procedures. We do not see any remaining indication for complete resection of the ulnar head. Clinical results and the occurrence of painful instability of the distal ulnar stump have been reported almost identically for the hemiresection-interposition technique and the Kapandji Sauvé procedure. Therefore, both procedures appear to be equally suitable for the treatment of painful arthrosis of the distal radioulnar joint. In patients with a preexisting instability of the distal radioulnar joint, or a major deformity of the radius or the ulna, we prefer to perform the hemiresection-interposition-technique. In these conditions we consider the remaining contact of the triangular fibrocartilage complex with the distal end of the ulna a biomechanical advantage to reduce the risk of secondary instability. Biomechanically as well as clinically, replacement of the ulnar head using a prosthesis has been shown to either avoid or solve the problem of instability. We therefore consider ulnar head replacement the treatment of choice in secondary painful instability following resection procedures at the distal end of the ulna. Primary ulnar head replacement should be considered in special indications until long-term follow-up results are available.