title: Long term results of matched hemiresection interposition arthroplasty for DRUJ arthritis in rheumatoid patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) is commonly affected in rheumatoid arthritis and is associated with significant functional morbidity. The aim of our study is to review our results with matched hemi-resection interposition arthroplasty in patients with DRUJ arthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective study of 39 patients with 51 wrists that were treated at Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong from 1989 to 2007. All patients underwent matched hemi-resection interposition arthroplasty and dorsal wrist synovectomy. Long arm hinged elbow brace was used for three weeks followed by intensive rehabilitation up to twelve weeks. The indicators of outcome included range of motion assessment, pain, wrist stiffness, grip of strength and need for revision assessed during follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed with student t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age of patients was 50.5 years (25 to 77 years) and there was a 35:4 female to male ratio. The average follow up was 4.5 years ranging from 1 to 18 years. Associated extensor tendon ruptures were found in 31.4% patients. The average increase in supination was from 73 degrees preoperatively to 81 degrees at long term follow up (p = 0.10 at 1 year and 0.13 at long term follow-up). The average increase in pronation was from 68 degrees preoperatively to 74 degrees on long term follow up (p = 0.57 at 1 year and 0.02 at long term follow-up). There was evidence of painless, relatively stiff but functional wrist in 37.25% of patients. There was an increase in grip strength from an average of 6.1 kilogram force preoperatively to an average of 11.5 kilogram force at follow-up (p = 0.004 at 1 year and 0.15 at long term follow-up). Complete relief of ulnar sided pain was seen in 43 wrists (84%), partial relief was seen in 7 wrists (13.7%) and no relief was found in one wrist (1.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DRUJ arthroplasty is a rewarding procedure and most of the patients obtain pain free movement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Syed Kamran
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Jason Pui Yin
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Boris Kwok-Keung
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: Wing-Yuk
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Ip
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*