Reconstruction of the distal radioulnar joint with rib perichondrium – midterm follow-up

Background Reconstruction of an osteoarthritic distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) in patients with high physical demands and a long lifetime expectancy is challenging. A variety of methods like implant surgery and salvage procedures as partial or total ulnar head resection and the Sauve-Kapandji procedure are reasonable options in the elderly patient but not in young individuals since it often compromises manual power and stability and may cause impingement problems. Reconstruction of the DRUJ with rib perichondrium is a new treatment option with promising short-term outcome. The aim the present study was to investigate if the outcome is consistent over time. Methods Four female patients with a mean age of 40.5 years suffered severe unilateral osteoarthritis in the DRUJ. They underwent reconstruction of the joint with rib perichondrium transplants. Preoperatively, mean pain under manual load was 8.5 (range 7–10) and 4.2 (range 2–5) at rest, using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Range of motion (ROM) in forearm rotation was on average 118° and grip strength was 86% in comparison to the contralateral hand. The outcome was assessed at a clinical follow-up in 2016, measuring ROM, grip-strength, pain at rest and under manual load and DASH-score. Radiological examination was performed. An additional follow-up by letter was performed in 2021 using a patient-reported-outcome survey (PROS). The patients were asked to grade the ROM and grip-strength as changed or unchanged in comparison to the clinical follow-up in 2016. Results At clinical follow-up at a mean of 3.1 years (range 1–5) after surgery, pain level had decreased to VAS 1.5 (0–5) under load and all patients were pain free at rest. Forearm rotation was on average 156° (range 100–180) and grip strength was 97% of the unoperated hand. The mean DASH-score was 14.4 (0–45). An additional follow-up by letter was conducted at a mean of 7.5 years (5.5–9.5) after surgery. ROM and grip strength were reported as unchanged by all patients in relation to the previous clinical follow-up. No additional surgery or complications were reported. Conclusion Reconstruction of the osteoarthritic DRU-joint with rib perichondrium transplantation can provide good clinical outcome with perseverance over time. Level of evidence IV.