Functional Outcome Following Reconstruction for Chronic Isolated Dorsal Distal Radioulnar Joint Instability by Fulkerson-Watson Method-a Prospective Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic isolated distal radioulnar joint instability is a relatively rare entity. Several methods of reconstruction were available to stabilize the joint and each method has some advantage over others. We proposed to assess the functional outcome following reconstruction of chronic dorsal distal radio ulnar instability using extra articular reconstruction by FulkersonWatson method. AIM: To assess the functional outcome following reconstruction for chronic isolated dorsal distal radio ulnar instability using Fulkerson -Watson method. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study in five patients over three years from 2010 to 2013 with chronic isolated dorsal distal radio ulnar instability who were treated by Fulkerson-Watson method of reconstruction. All patients underwent MRI evaluation before surgery to assess ligament pathology and for adequacy of sigmoid notch. Arthroscopy performed in all patients. Functional outcomes were assessed using VAS score, quick-DASH score and Mayo wrist score at every 6 months follow-up. Radiological assessment done using plain x-rays at each follow up. RESULTS: Three patients required Arthroscopic debridement for TFCC. All five patients had achieved stability at distal radio ulnar joint after surgery and remained so till their last follow up. One patient had persistent pain near ulnar styloid. The average loss of motion for pronation was 10 degrees and supination was 3 degrees in reference to the normal side. All except one patient achieved ulnar grip strength of >90 % compared to normal side. The mean pre and postoperative VAS score, quick-DASH score, Mayo wrist score were 76.6 and 17.2, 37.3 and 11.3, 45 and 77 respectively. CONCLUSION: Though extra articular reconstruction for DRUJ by Fulkerson-Watson method is non-anatomical, the procedure is simple than intra articular reconstruction and gives similar functional outcome like intra articular reconstructions as shown by our results.