Procedure 82 Radioulnar Ligament Reconstruction for Chronic Distal Radioulnar Joint Instability

Jennifer Waljee, Sandeep J. Sebastin, Kevin C. Chung

See Video 60: Reconstruction for Chronic Volar Subluxation of the Ulna

See Video 61: Distal Radioulnar Joint Ligament Reconstruction for Ligamentous Instability

Indications

Distal radioulnar (DRU) joint reconstruction is indicated for symptomatic chronic DRU joint instability, typically caused by distal radius fracture malunion, basilar ulnar styloid fracture nonunion, and isolated DRU joint dislocation or subluxation.

Examination/Imaging

Clinical Examination

DRU joint instability may coexist with other causes of ulnar-sided wrist pain. These include extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendinitis, flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) tendonitis, ECU subluxation, ulnar impaction syndrome, lunotriquetral (LT) instability, and pisotriquetral arthritis. It is important to consider these conditions before attributing the symptoms to DRU joint instability. The following clinical tests are suggestive of DRU joint instability:

• The piano key sign: The forearm is pronated and rested on a table surface, and the ulnar head is depressed. If the DRU joint is unstable, the ulnar head can be depressed easily and springs back into position like a piano key (Fig. 82-1).

• The radioulnar ballottement test: The distal radius is stabilized between the thumb and fingers of one hand, and the distal ulna is grasped and moved in a volar to dorsal direction with the other hand. Excessive motion or pain in comparison to the other wrist is indicative of DRU joint instability. This maneuver is performed with the forearm in neutral, supinated, and pronated positions. More laxity normally occurs in the neutral position than in either pronation or supination because the joint capsule tightens as the limits of both motions are approached. It is essential to compare to the contralateral extremity because the normal range of motion and laxity of the DRU joint vary considerably among individuals (Fig. 82-2).

• The press test: The patient rises from a chair using his or her hands for assistance by pushing against a tabletop located in front of him or her. DRU joint instability is shown by greater “depression” of the ulnar head on the affected side and is often associated with pain.

It is also important to rule out the presence of DRU joint arthritis because it represents a contraindication to ligament reconstruction. The following clinical test is useful in determining the presence of DRU joint arthritis.

• Ulnar compression test: This test is performed with the elbow in flexion and the forearm in neutral position. A radially directed force is applied to the ulnar head to compress it against the sigmoid notch. Patients with DRU joint synovitis or arthritis will complain of pain over the joint (Fig. 82-3).

The patient should be examined for the presence of the palmaris longus (PL) to be used as a tendon graft.

FIGURE 82-1

FIGURE 82-2

FIGURE 82-3

Imaging

A posteroanterior view radiograph may show widening of the DRU joint, and the lateral view demonstrates the ulnar head dorsal or volar to the radius (Fig. 82-4). A weighted lateral view (taken with patient holding 5 to 8 pounds of weight) can be used to demonstrate the instability that occurs only on loading (Fig. 82-5). Other indirect signs of instability include a basal ulnar styloid fracture (Fig. 82-6) and a displaced fleck fracture from the fovea.

A computed tomography (CT) scan is useful in determining subtle degrees of DRU joint instability. CT scans of both wrists in identical forearm positions should be done. It is also useful in ruling out DRU joint arthritis and in assessing the comptenecy of the sigmoid notch, especially in patients with joint instability following distal radius fractures.

Magnetic resonance imaging (Fig. 82-7) and arthroscopy are useful in assessment of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) and in ruling out other causes of ulnar-sided wrist pain.