Intermediate outcomes of ulnar head arthroplasty

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Reconstructive surgery
• Upper extremity surgery

Background:

• Ulnar head arthroplasty is a surgical procedure to address conditions affecting the distal ulna.
• Evaluating long-term implant survivorship and functional outcomes is essential for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the survivorship and clinical outcomes of ulnar head arthroplasty.
• To identify factors influencing outcomes in different patient subgroups.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical records and clinical assessments for 79 implants in 74 patients with >2 years follow-up.
• Utilized Patient Examination Measure, Patient-Related Wrist Examination, Wrightington Wrist Score, and EQ5D for outcome assessment.
• Analyzed outcomes based on diagnosis, primary vs. revision surgery, and ulnar stump instability.

Main Results:

• Achieved 90% implant survival at both 5 and 15 years, with a mean follow-up of 7 years.
• Mean range of motion was functional, and grip strength was 67% of the contralateral side.
• Patient satisfaction was high, but substantial residual disability was noted, with poorer outcomes in posttraumatic, "other" diagnostic, and revision surgery groups.

Conclusions:

• Ulnar head arthroplasty demonstrates favorable long-term implant survival and acceptable patient satisfaction.
• Significant residual disability remains a concern across all patient groups.
• Informed patient counseling regarding procedure-specific outcomes is recommended.