title: Indications and early to mid-term results of ulnar head replacement.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to explore the indications and show the early to mid-term results of ulnar head replacement for the treatment of pathological conditions of the distal radioulnar joint.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our study group comprised 52 patients with a mean age of 64 years who had 56 ulnar head replacements. Seven were implanted to salvage an unstable deletive procedure; the rest were for primary treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and trauma. Concomitant procedures along with the ulnar head replacement included wrist arthrodesis, joint replacement and tendon transfers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The follow-up duration ranged from 1 year to 11 years (mean: 60 months, median: 60 months). In almost all of the patients, pain improved with a median visual analogue scale score of 2 (mean: 2.2, range: 0-8) and a median DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score of 12.5 (mean: 17.9, range: 0-56). Of the 52 patients, 47 reported they would have the same procedure again.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ulnar head replacement appears to be a reliable and effective procedure solving several pathological problems of the distal radioulnar joint. We present a large patient group with a short to medium-term follow-up duration.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK. davidwarwick@handsurgery.co.uk.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Warwick
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shyamalan
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Balabanidou
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014457:Ulna / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000601:surgery
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