Purpose
To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients who underwent semiconstrained
distal radioulnar joint arthroplasty.
Methods
A retrospective analysis was performed on a series of patients who underwent distal
radioulnar joint arthroplasty with more than a 23-month follow up. The quantitative
outcome variables included the visual analog scale for pain; Disability of the Arm,
Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score; Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE); and Mayo wrist
score. The range of motion, grip strength, torque, and lifting capacity were measured
at final follow up and compared with that of the nonsurgical extremity. Complications
related to the prosthesis were assessed.
Results
Twenty-one patients (mean age 57 years) were assessed at an average 41-month follow
up (23–73 months). Fifteen underwent prior hand, wrist, or elbow procedures. Four
patients required 5 reoperations. The postoperative median visual analog scale pain
score was 0.6 at rest and 2.1 with activity. The median postoperative DASH score was
26.7, PRWE 41, and Mayo wrist score was 65. Upon comparing the supination torque of
the operative and intact sides, the operative side was found to average 87% of the
intact side on a work simulator and 77% on the simulator’s D-ring. Eight of 20 patients
had lysis around the collar of the ulnar component (40%), as detected using radiography.
Three of 21 (14%) radial plates were malpositioned, with 2 resulting in a fracture.
The overall complication rate was 29%.
Conclusions
Distal radioulnar joint arthroplasty using the Scheker prosthesis demonstrated good
patient pain scores and the restoration of supination strength. The collar lysis resulted
in weaker supination and grip strength. Still, the patients experienced mild levels
of pain and moderate disability. A moderate complication rate persisted, as reported
by other authors. Accurate radial component placement is important.
Type of study/level of evidence
Therapeutic IV.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 12, 2021
Accepted:
April 29,
2021
Received:
January 9,
2020
Footnotes
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved.
