Abstract
Introduction: Injury to the wrist may result in derangement of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) and lead to deformity and degenerative changes. This often gives pain on ulnar side of the wrist and limits forearm rotation. We share our experience with the Sauve-Kapandji procedure for chronic posttraumatic derangement of the DRUJ.
Methods: Sixteen patients (seventeen wrists) with chronic posttraumatic derangement of the DRUJ were assessed before and after SauvŽ-Kapandji procedure using Cooneyñs score. There were six men and ten women and average follow up was 64 months.
Results: Mean supination improved from 43.9û to 78.5û and the mean pronation improved from 44.4û to 80.6û at the time of latest follow-up. Pain relief was satisfactory, and the mean grip strength improved from 30.6% of that on the unaffected side preoperatively to 72.1% at the time of follow-up. The ulnar stump was stable in þf-teen patients. Thirteen of the sixteen patients were able to return to work full-time without restrictions. At a mean of 64 months four patients had an excellent result; six a good result; þve a fair result; and one patient a poor result.
Conclusion: On the basis of our þndings, we believe that the index operation is a good salvage procedure for the treatment of chronic posttraumatic derangement of DRUJ, especially when non-operative treatment has been unsuccessful and rotation of the forearm is severely limited.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
