Extension Osteotomy for Radiolunate Joint Osteoarthritis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Hand and Wrist Surgery
• Osteoarthritis Research

Background:

• Radioscaphoid joint osteoarthritis is common, while radiolunate joint involvement is less frequent.
• Wrist osteoarthritis can stem from morphological changes like increased palmar tilt and ulnar-plus variance.

Observation:

• A 56-year-old male patient experienced progressive radiolunate joint osteoarthritis despite 7 years of conservative management.
• Radiographic findings included ulnar-plus variance, increased palmar tilt, and an ulnar head osteophyte.

Findings:

• Surgical intervention with a closed-wedged extension osteotomy of the distal radius was performed.
• Post-surgery, at 1 year and 3 months, the patient reported pain-free wrist motion, confirmed bony union, and preserved radiolunate joint space.

Implications:

• Distal radius extension osteotomy may be a viable surgical option for radiolunate joint osteoarthritis.
• This technique is particularly relevant for cases associated with specific bone morphology leading to increased palmar tilt.
• Further research could explore the long-term efficacy and broader applicability of this surgical approach.