Abstract

The authors report their experience with the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure for the management of posttraumatic disorders of the distal radioulnar joint in 20 patients. The mean age was 39 years (range, 19 to 62 years), the mean duration of follow-up was 76 months (range, 60-97 months) and the mean time interval between initial injury and the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure was 24 months (range, 6-120 months). Postoperatively all patients experienced relief of pain. Rotation of the forearm increased to near normal values. The patients scored an average of 77 points on the Modified Mayo Wrist Score (range, 65-95 points). Three patients had an excellent result, six had a good result, seven had a fair result and one had a poor result. There were no major complications. Fifteen of seventeen employed patients had returned to work. Eighteen of nineteen patients were very satisfied or satisfied by the result of surgery. The procedure performed satisfactorily in addressing posttraumatic problems of the distal radioulnar joint, but must still be considered a salvage procedure.