Abstract
Following up seven consecutive patients for a minimum of 3 years, we assessed the clinical outcome and level of patient satisfaction after distal ulnar head replacement.
In one patient the procedure was done because of a tumour. In the rest the pathology was predominantly OA and RA.
At follow-up, all patients had almost full pronation and supination. Grip strength was better than it was preoperatively, but generally not as good as in the non-pathological hand. In one patient instability was a problem, but overall patient satisfaction was high.
Although our study was of a small group and follow-up has been relatively short, early indications are that distal ulnar head replacement is a reliable and effective way of managing selected patients with problems that are otherwise difficult to treat.
Secretary: Dr H.J.S. Colyn, Editor: Professor M.B.E. Sweet. Correspondence should be addressed to SAOA, Box 47363, Parklands, Johannesburg, 2121, South Africa.
