Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2021 Feb 28;15(1):5-12.
doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1725222. eCollection 2023 Feb.

Distal Radioulnar Joint Osteoarthritis: An Update on Treatment Options

Affiliations
Review

Distal Radioulnar Joint Osteoarthritis: An Update on Treatment Options

Brian M Katt et al. J Hand Microsurg. .

Abstract

The distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ), the articulation between the sigmoid notch of the radius and the distal ulna, plays a pivotal role in stability and load bearing and allows for pronation and supination of the forearm. Osteoarthritis (OA) of the DRUJ commonly occurs due to distal radius trauma but may also be the result of conditions such as joint instability, septic arthritis, or primary OA. It is initially managed with conservative therapy, but surgery is often considered when nonoperative methods fail. The surgical approaches available to treat this pathology have grown over the years. The procedures have generally favorable outcomes, each with their own unique complications and considerations. This paper comprises a review of the outcomes and complications for the different procedures commonly used to surgically treat DRUJ OA.

Keywords: Darrach; Sauve-Kapandji; distal radioulnar joint; hemi-resection; osteoarthritis.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest None declared.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A 55-year old-male with distal radioulnar joint arthritis secondary to Colles' fracture scheduled for Darrach. ( A ) Preoperative posteroanterior radiograph. ( B ) A 1-month postoperative posteroanterior radiograph. ( C ) Preoperative lateral radiograph. ( D ) A 1-month postoperative lateral radiograph.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
A 64-year-old female with primary distal radioulnar joint osteoarthritis scheduled for Sauve-Kapandji. ( A ) Preoperative posteroanterior radiograph. ( B ) A 7-month posteroanterior radiograph. ( C ) Preoperative lateral radiograph. ( D ) A 7-month postoperative lateral radiograph.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
A 37-year-old male with post-traumatic distal radioulnar joint arthritis scheduled for hemi-resection interposition arthroplasty. ( A ) Preoperative posteroanterior radiograph. ( B ) A 2-week postoperative posteroanterior radiograph.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Distal radioulnar joint arthroplasty with a Scheker prosthesis. ( A ) postoperative posteroanterior view. ( B ) Postoperative lateral view. ( C ) Postoperative oblique view.

References

    1. Geissler W B, Fernandez D L, Lamey D M. Distal radioulnar joint injuries associated with fractures of the distal radius. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1996;(327):135–146. - PubMed
    1. Malgaine J F. Paris JB Brailliére; 1855. Traité Des Fractures Et Des Luxations, Vol. 2.
    1. Darrach W. Partial excision of lower shaft of ulna for deformity following Colles's fracture. 1913. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1992;(275):3–4. - PubMed
    1. Sauvé L. Nouvelle technique de traitement chirurgical des luxations recidivantes isolees de I'extremite inferieure du cubitus. J Chir (Paris) 1936;47:589–594.
    1. Bowers W H. Distal radioulnar joint arthroplasty: the hemiresection-interposition technique. J Hand Surg Am. 1985;10(02):169–178. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources