Management of complications of distal radioulnar joint.

Abstract

The distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) is a complex structure that participates in forearm rotation and weight-bearing. Myriad disorders affect the DRUJ and present diagnostic and management challenges. Degenerative and posttraumatic arthritis and pain at the DRUJ have been traditionally treated with resection of 1 of the 2 arthritic surfaces. Although the procedure often relieves pain associated with incongruence, it creates a different problem by changing the overall dynamics of the forearm rotation and weight-bearing, resulting in radioulnar convergence and ulnar translation of the carpus. This article focuses on the management of painful radioulnar convergence after distal ulnar resections.