Early Results in Total Replacement of the Distal Radioulnar Joint.

Background: Pathology of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) including instability and arthritis presents a challenge for hand and upper extremity surgeons. Surgical options include a Darrach procedure and similar resections, soft tissue interposition arthroplasty, and a one-bone forearm. In 2005, a prosthesis for DRUJ arthroplasty was approved for use in the United States.

A Cadaveric Comparison of Approaches for Exposure of the Volar Distal Radius: Is There a Utilitarian Approach?

Background: It remains unclear whether exposure for planned fixation of distal radius fractrues is superior with any given approach, and whether a single utilitarian approach exists that permits reliable complete exposure of the volar distal radius.

Methods: A cadaveric study was performed using 10 matched specimens. Group 1 consisted of 3 radially based approaches (standard flexor carpi radialis [FCR], standard FCR with radial retraction of FCR and flexor pollicis longus [FPL] tendons, extended FCR).

The Use of a Vascularized Distal Ulna Autograft for Complex Distal Radius Fracture Nonunions.

In patients with segmental nonunion of the distal radius, the distal ulna and distal radioulnar joint may not be salvageable. As an alternative to a vascularized free fibula, a pedicled distal ulna vascularized graft is a useful salvage technique. The procedure relies on the vascular bundle of the pronator quadratus and the dorsal oblique arterial anastomosis between the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries running along the interosseous membrane as the pedicle.

Ulnolunate Distance and Lunate Height: Reliability Testing.

Purpose: Many methods for measuring ulnar variance have been described. The purpose of this study was to introduce the use of both lunate height and ulnolunate distance on the zero-rotation view as well as to assess the intra- and interobserver reliabilities of these measurements. The hypothesis was that the use of concave surfaces in the measurement of both lunate height and ulnolunate distance will yield a higher intra- and interobserver reliability than ulnar variance, which uses the convex surface of the distal radius.