Der Orthopäde
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The distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ), the ulnocarpal joint and the ulnar carpus form an functional anatomical complex, as the head of the ulna is an articulated part of DRUJ as well as having a stabilising action and acting as an abutment due to its direct attachment to the triangular fibrocartilage complex. Pain in this area poses a diagnostic problem due to the close proximity of these structures. In addition to describing the standard clinical examination, the major pathologies of these ulnar hand components, their symptomatology and the basis of their therapy are discussed.
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The most common cause of an arthritically damaged distal radioulnar joint is a malunion of a distal radius fracture. Therapeutically, ulnar head resection, hemiresection-interposition-technique, Kapandji-Sauvé procedure and implantation of an ulnar head prosthesis have been described. None of these procedures is able to restore the complete function of the joint. ⋯ Biomechanically as well as clinically, replacement of the ulnar head using a prosthesis has been shown to either avoid or solve the problem of instability. We therefore consider ulnar head replacement the treatment of choice in secondary painful instability following resection procedures at the distal end of the ulna. Primary ulnar head replacement should be considered in special indications until long-term follow-up results are available.