Comparative results of resection of the distal ulna in rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic conditions

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the results of resection of the distal ulna differed depending upon the underlying aetiology of the condition. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis were compared with patients with post-traumatic wrist complaints. Fifty resections in 40 patients (eight male, 32 female) were assessed with respect to pain, range of motion, and grip strength. Of the 23 rheumatoid wrists, 86% were pain-free following surgery; however, only 36% of the patients in the trauma group reported pain relief postoperatively. Pain relief in post-traumatic patients was more predictable when distal radioulnar joint arthrosis was identified as the sole cause of wrist pain.     

Matched distal ulna resection for posttraumatic disorders of the distal radioulnar joint.

In 1985 we published the results of the matched ulna resection in 44 patients, the majority of whom had rheumatoid arthritis. The matched ulna resection maintains the continuity of the distal ulna to the ulnar sling mechanism, including the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), and resects the distal ulna in a smooth, curved, convex fashion to match the contour of the radius throughout forearm rotation. This article presents the results of the procedure in patients with posttraumatic and mechanical disorders of the distal radioulnar joint. Good to excellent results were noted in 24 of 32 patients. The outcome was related to the severity of the patient's initial problem.     

Reconstruction of post-traumatic deformity of the distal radius and ulna

Proper patient selection, meticulous preoperative planning, and precise surgical technique are all necessary for a successful outcome following osteotomy of the distal radius. The patients should be young, manually active, and motivated. Radiocarpal post-traumatic arthritis or dystrophy are contraindications to this procedure.     

Wafer distal ulna resection for triangular fibrocartilage tears and/or ulna impaction syndrome.

Partial resection of the distal ulna (wafer resection) has been used to treat patients with symptomatic tears of the triangular fibrocartilage complex or mild ulna impaction syndrome. In this procedure, the distal 2 to 4 mm of the distal ulnar head is resected while preserving the ulnar styloid process and the ligaments attached to it. The triangular fibrocartilage is debrided, repaired, or partially excised as necessary. The procedure is contraindicated if there is more than 4 mm of positive ulnar variance. Thirteen wafer resections of the distal ulna were performed in 12 patients. All had good to excellent results after a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Wafer resection has specific advantages and avoids many of the potential complications of distal ulna recession and ulnar head resection for patients with the conditions described. The procedure is not indicated if instability or degenerative arthritis of the distal radioulnar joint is present or if there is carpal instability.     

Salvage of failed resection of the distal ulna. Case report.

A 45-year-old woman completely lost the ability of active supination of the forearm after a Darrach resection for malunited fracture of the distal radius. A three-component reconstruction was performed to stabilise the distal stump of the ulna and prevent convergence between the two forearm bones. The procedure combined advancement lengthening osteotomy of the ulna, longitudinal intramedullary tenodesis of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon, and dorsal transfer of the pronator quadratus through the interosseous space. Four months after the salvage procedure she again had full active supination of the forearm and she returned to work two months later.     

Osteolysis of the distal clavicle: Long-term results of arthroscopic resection

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of arthroscopic distal clavicle resection by the direct superior approach for treatment of isolated osteolysis of the distal clavicle. Type of Study: Case series. Materials and Methods: Forty-one shoulders in 37 patients underwent arthroscopic resection of the distal clavicle. Thirty-three patients were male and 4 female, with an average age of 39 years. All patients complained of pain localized to the acromioclavicular joint region. Symptoms began after a traumatic event in 18 shoulders and were associated with repetitive stressful activity in 23 shoulders. Results: At an average follow-up of 6.2 years, 22 shoulders had excellent results, 16 had good results, and 3 were failures. All 3 failures occurred in patients with a traumatic etiology. Conclusions: Arthroscopic resection for osteolysis of the distal clavicle has results comparable to open excision with low morbidity. Patients with a traumatic etiology had slightly worse results compared with patients with a microtraumatic etiology.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related surgery, Vol 16, No 6 (September), 2000: pp 600–605     

Long-term results of arthroscopic resection of the distal clavicle with concomitant subacromial decompression

Purpose: The goal of the study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of combined arthroscopic distal clavicle excision and subacromial decompression. Type of Study: Retrospective, long-term cohort evaluation. Methods: Twenty patients with an average follow-up of 6 years (range, 3.9 to 9 years) were reviewed. All patients had ipsilateral impingement syndrome and acromioclavicular joint disease at the time of surgery and underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression combined with arthroscopic distal clavicle excision. All patients returned for evaluation in person, in addition to filling out a questionnaire incorporating the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Constant scoring systems. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were available for all patients. Results: Postoperatively, all patients had pain relief and were satisfied with the result. The average postoperative UCLA Shoulder score was 29.8 ± 0.6, compared with 17.5 ± 3.0 before surgery (P = .001). The Constant Shoulder score averaged 98.5 ± 2.1 postoperatively, compared with 70.5 ± 11.2 preoperatively (P = .001). There was 100% good to excellent results using both scoring systems. Individual components of the UCLA scoring system (pain, function, and power) all showed significant postoperative improvement (P = .001). Constant categories of pain, activities of daily living, range of motion, and power also improved. Follow-up radiographs showed maintenance of the resected distal clavicle in 19 patients. Five patients (25%) had radiographic evidence of calcific density distal to the resected clavicle but were asymptomatic. Conclusions: The long-term results of arthroscopic resection of the distal clavicle with concomitant subacromial decompression are uniformly good or excellent. Impingement and acromioclavicular joint disease frequently coexist and should be identified and treated concurrently.     

Radiographic changes after resection of the distal ulna in rheumatoid arthritis

Progressive ulnar translocation of the carpus and problems with the ulnar stump have been reported after resection of the distal ulna in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However this has only occasionally been quantitatively assessed. In this study 24 wrists in 21 patients with RA were followed up for an average of 100 months after resection of the distal ulna. An additional 24 wrists in 14 non-operated RA patients were followed up for 92 months. In a retrospective radiographic analysis we demonstrate similar increases in ulnar translocation and ulnar-carpal distances in both groups.     

Radiographic changes after resection of the distal ulna in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Radiographic changes in the wrist after resection of the distal ulna in 61 rheumatoid patients (63 wrists) were evaluated more than five years after operation. The wrists were classified on preoperative radiographs into stable or unstable forms as defined by Simmen and Huber. Of 63 wrists, 52 were classified as stable and the remaining 11 were classified as unstable. At follow up, 50 of 52 wrists (96%) that were stable before operation had remained stable. Five of the 11 wrists that were unstable before operation had bony ankylosis or partial radiocarpal ankylosis, and in the remaining six cases there was carpal collapse. Resection of the distal ulna yields good results in stable wrists but operation is not indicated for unstable ones.     

Arthrodesis of the distal radio-ulnar joint with segmental resection of the ulna

Surgical Principles The distal radio-ulnar joint is fused in neutral position. A bony segment of the distal ulna is resected to allow “en bloc” pronation and supination of the hand in the nearthrosis created by the ulna resection (Figure 1). Axis deviations of the radius can be neglected in this procedure. Screw arthrodesis of the distal radio-ulnar joint combined with segmental resection of the distal ulna was described by Sauvé and M. Kapandji in 1936 [5]. In 1986, A. Kapandji improved the procedure by using a second screw and a cancellous bone graft. Revised Version from: Operat. Orthop. Traumatol. 5 (1993), 48–59 (German Edition).     

Long-term results following ankle arthrodesis for post-traumatic arthritis

BACKGROUND: Ankle arthrodesis is considered by many to be the standard operative treatment for end-stage ankle arthritis; however, the long-term effect of ankle arthrodesis on other lower-extremity joints remains largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to perform a clinical and radiographic review to determine the effect of ankle arthrodesis on the development of osteoarthritis in other lower-extremity joints. METHODS: Twenty-three patients who had had an isolated ankle arthrodesis for the treatment of painful posttraumatic arthritis of the ankle were followed for a mean of twenty-two years (range, twelve to forty-four years) after the operation. Each completed standardized, self-reported outcome questionnaires (the Foot Function Index, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC], and Short Form-36 [SF-36]), was examined clinically by two of the investigators, and underwent complete radiographic examination of the knee, ankle, and foot bilaterally. The radiographic grade of osteoarthritis was determined for each joint, and the levels of overall activity limitation, pain, and disability were determined for each patient from the clinical findings and questionnaire information. RESULTS: Osteoarthritis of the ipsilateral subtalar (p<0.0001), talonavicular (p<0.0001), calcaneocuboid (p<0.0001), naviculocuneiform (p = 0.0012), tarsometatarsal (p = 0.0009), and first metatarsophalangeal joints (p = 0.0012) was consistently more severe than the osteoarthritis of those joints on the contralateral side. Osteoarthritis did not develop more frequently in the ipsilateral knee or lesser metatarsophalangeal joints than it did on the contralateral side. Significant differences between the two sides were found with regard to overall activity limitation (p<0.0001), pain (p<0.0001), and disability (p<0.0001), with the involved side consistently more symptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, the present series represents the longest follow-up study of ankle arthrodesis to date. Our cohort of patients all had isolated post-traumatic ankle arthritis, and each underwent a successful isolated ankle arthrodesis. At a mean of twenty-two years, the majority of the patients had substantial, and accelerated, arthritic changes in the ipsilateral foot but not the knee. They were often limited functionally by foot pain. Although ankle arthrodesis may provide good early relief of pain, it is associated with premature deterioration of other joints of the foot and eventual arthritis, pain, and dysfunction.     

Progressive correction of an ulnar clubhand secondary to post-traumatic epiphysiodesis of the distal ulna

The authors report the correction of an ulnar club-hand in a 16 year-old boy who complained of recurrent wrist pain after a fracture of both bones of his left forearm treated by internal fixation at the age of nine years. Correction was achieved by progressive ulnar lengthening, using Ilizarov's method, without radius osteotomy or bone grafting. Union was achieved 2 months post-operatively. Functional outcome and cosmetic appearance were satisfying.     

Long-term results of laryngotracheal resection for benign stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: We report the long-term results of our 16-year experience with laryngotracheal resection for benign stenosis. METHODS: Between 1991 and 2006, 35 consecutive patients (19 males, 16 females) underwent laryngotracheal resection for subglottic postintubation (32) or idiopathic (3) stenosis. Mean age was 43 years (range 14-71). At the time of surgery 13 patients presented with tracheostomy and 7 with a Dumon stent. The upper limit of the stenosis was from 0.6 to 1.5 cm below the vocal cords. The length of airway resection ranged between 1.5 and 6 cm. Suprahyoid release was performed in two patients and pericardial release in one. Nine patients had psychiatric and/or neurological post-coma disorders. Mean follow-up is over 5 years (61 months; range 3-194). RESULTS: There was no perioperative mortality. Thirty patients (85.7%) had excellent or good anatomic and functional results. Four patients (11.4%) presented restenosis at a distance of 25-110 days from the operation. Restenosis was successfully treated by endoscopic procedures in all four patients. One patient (2.9%) presented anastomotic dehiscence that required temporary tracheostomy closed after 1 year with no sequelae. Three patients (8.4%) had wound infection. Long-term follow-up was uneventful also in patients who had early complications. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term follow-up confirms that laryngotracheal resection is the definitive curative treatment for benign subglottic stenosis. Surgical complications can be successfully managed by non-operative procedures. Despite the occurrence of early complications, excellent and stable results can still be obtained at long term.     

Dacron stabilization of the distal ulna.

The pronator lock procedure offers an alternative to the treatment of chronic, symptomatic dorsal translation of the distal ulna in pronation. The porous Dacron tendon has been a useful adjunct and has obviated the need for free tendon grafts, intact tendon slips, or fascia lata in the construction of the radioulnar tether. Careful clinical and biomechanical evaluation of the technique and material is required and is currently under investigation.     

Arthroscopic distal ulna resection after post traumatic ulno carpal abutment

Ulno carpal abutments secondary to the sequels of a fracture of the radius are often due to the inversion of the distal radio ulnar index by shortening relative to the radius. This positive ulnar variance eventually leads to an abutment between the head of the ulnar and the proximal articular face of the lunate with alteration of the cartilaginous carpal surfaces. The wrist arthroscopy makes diagnosis and treatment possible in a less invasive way. The patients are operated on as outpatients under local regional anaesthetic using a pneumatic tourniquet. The arthroscope is positioned using the 3-4 radio carpal opening permitting exploration of the joint. The surgical treatment is performed by arthroscopy using a burr and going in through the 6R radio carpal opening. In this way we use the technique of partial resection of the distal ulna. We have a series of 62 patients who have benefited from the technique of partial resection of the ulnar head by arthroscopy. There were 30 men and 32 women. The average age was 66 years old (between 45 and 82). Our average follow-up is 32 months (between 12 and 60 months). Recovery of mobility was immediate in all cases with persistent pain in the radio ulnar joint in 8 cases. Arthroscopic treatment of ulno carpal abutment has proved itself effective and innocuous. It should nevertheless be reserved for operations on small sized inversions of the distal radio ulnar index (less than 5 mm). In the event of larger ulnar variances we prefer ulnar shortening osteotomy. The other techniques will be restricted to cases where the distal radio ulnar joint has been impaired.     

Synovectomy with resection of the distal ulna in rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist

Wrist synovectomy with resection of the distal ulna was performed in 47 cases, where rheumatoid affection in the wrist joint caused visible capsular swelling, pain and reduced range of motion. At follow-up after a mean observation time of 33 months, 31 cases had complete pain relief, eight cases had moderate pain relief. In eight cases pain during wrist motion was unchanged at follow-up and in five of these, recurrence of capsular swelling was noted. The range of motion (both supination/pronation and vola- and dorsiflection) was significantly improved, as was the subjective assessment of function. The radiographic findings showed progression in 41 cases. Deviation in the wrist was unchanged. In three cases reoperations were performed and one case had spontaneous rupture of the 4th and 5th extensor tendons 1 month postoperatively. In 15 cases dislocation of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon in volar direction by rotational movement was noted. Stability was good in all cases and no serious postoperative complications occurred. Wrist synovectomy with resection of the distal ulna is recommended in cases where regular medical treatment has been attempted for a minimum of 6 months without successful results.     

Long-term results of the minimal resection Darrach procedure.

Eighteen patients had a minimal resection Darrach procedure at the distal radial-ulnar joint for treatment of posttraumatic arthritis. The follow-up averaged 8 years (range, 2 to 18 years). Fourteen patients were completely satisfied with the result achieved with the procedure and four were mostly satisfied. No patient had either subjective or objective evidence of distal ulnar instability. Grip strength for patients without radiocarpal arthritis was 84% of the uninvolved side. Preoperative ulnar variance was plus 4 mm and at follow-up minus 4 mm. At follow-up examination, four patients had ulnar carpal translocation. The average radial inclination angle of the patients with ulnar carpal translocation was 24 degrees, compared with 18 degrees for patients without ulnar carpal translocation. The minimal resection Darrach procedure gives excellent relief of pain without the instability attributed to the Darrach procedure. It must be used judiciously in patients who have a radial inclination angle above 23 degrees.