Keywords
function - long term - Adams procedure - DRUJ - reconstruction - DASH - PRWHE
The distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) is part of a complex articulation in the forearm
that provides the distal weight-bearing link between the radius and ulna[1]
[2] and a pivot for pronation and supination.[3] Following a fall on the outstretched hand,[4]
[5] injury to the DRUJ can occur in isolation or with a fracture of the distal radius[6]
[7]
[8] and causes swelling and ulnar-sided wrist pain aggravated by forearm motion.[9] Pain-at-rest and swelling typically improve, but pain with use continues and may
become associated with wrist instability including weakness and a joint clunk.[9]
The DRUJ relies heavily on soft tissue (i.e., ligament, muscle) support for stability,
the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) being the most important for maintaining
normal kinematics.[2]
[10]
[11] When the TFCC is irreparable because of retraction or primary tissue damage, reconstruction
of the volar and dorsal radioulnar ligaments (RULs) at their anatomic origins and
insertions offers the best possibility if the biomechanical role of the DRUJ is to
be preserved.[10]
[12] A technique described in 2000,[13] called the Adams procedure, stabilizes the DRUJ and shows promising short-term results
with improvement in pain, grip strength, and function with restoration of joint stability.[12]
This led to the question what the long-term functional outcome is in patients who
underwent an Adams procedure. We also tested the null hypothesis that there would
be no difference in range of motion (ROM) and grip strength between wrists in patients
who underwent the Adams procedure compared to the unaffected side.
Patients and Methods
Design
This retrospective study was approved by our institutional review board. All consecutive
patients with DRUJ instability who underwent the Adams procedure in our institution
between March 2005 and February 2014 were asked to participate in this study. A total
of 74 patients underwent the procedure, of whom 31 responded for participation. Inclusion
criteria included DRUJ instability with chronic wrist pain and a minimal age of 18
years. Twenty-three of 31 patients eventually responded to the invitation for clinical
follow up, one patient had additional wrist surgery not related to the initial operation
and was subsequently excluded. This left us with a final cohort of 22 patients ([Table 1]). Of the 22 enrolled patients, 9 (41%) were male, and 13 (59%) were female. All
of the responders were Caucasian. Average age at the time of operation was 35.2 years
(standard deviation [SD] 15.2), with an overall mean follow-up time of 5.0 years (SD
2.0). Average age at the time of the examination was 40.2 years (SD 15.4). The dominant
hand was operated on in 9 (41%) patients. Three patients suffered a distal radius
fracture, four patients suffered a distal radius fracture together with an ulnar styloid
fracture, and two patients suffered an isolated ulnar styloid fracture. There were
two patients who had a preceding ulnar shortening osteotomy; no other preceding operations
were noted. After review of the patient records and radiologic reports, four patients
with ulnar styloid nonunion were noted, and no patients who had functional limitations
due to a radiologically confirmed distal radius deformity or malunion were noted.
No patients had DRUJ widening or arthritis.
Table 1
Demographics
|
n
|
22
|
|
Gender
|
9 males (41%); 13 females (59%)
|
|
Dominant hand
|
20 right (91%); 2 left (9%)
|
|
Surgery hand
|
7 right (32%); 15 left (68%)
|
|
Surgery on the dominant side
|
9 (41%)
|
|
Average ± SD
|
Range
|
|
Age at time of operation (years)
|
35.2 ± 15.2
|
(17.3–63.3)
|
|
Follow-up (years)
|
5.0 ± 2.0
|
(1.7–8.5)
|
|
Age at time of examination (years)
|
40.2 ± 15.4
|
(19.5–70.3)
|
Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.
After obtaining informed consent, the patients' wrist function was examined by measuring
ROM and grip strength. We also recorded postoperative disability by asking patients
to complete the Dutch language version (DLV) of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder,
and Hand (DASH-DLV)[14] questionnaire, as well as the Patient-Rated Wrist and Hand Evaluation (PRWHE-DLV).[15] All measurements and assessments were done by a researcher not directly related
to patient care.
Outcome Measures
We measured wrist ROM postoperatively in both wrists. We subsequently compared the
ROM of the operated wrist with the ROM of the non-operated wrist. The ROM movements
included wrist flexion, extension, ulnar deviation, radial deviation, supination,
and pronation. We reported the results as percentages of the healthy contralateral
wrist.
Grip strength was determined using the Jamar dynamometer at level two (Sammons Preston,
Bollingbrook, IL) and reported absolute values in kilograms (kg). We asked patients
to grip the dynamometer three consecutive times, alternating between non-operated
and operated hand and calculated an average grip strength for each. Again, we reported
the results as percentages of the healthy contralateral wrist.
We measured subjective results using the DASH-DLV score and the PRWHE-DLV score. The
DASH-DLV is a standardized questionnaire that reports the patient's own assessment
of upper extremity disability and ability to perform certain tasks. It consists of
30 items, each being rated on a 5-point scale. The PRWHE-DLV is another standardized
questionnaire, designed to evaluate pain and function from the patient's perspective.
It consists of three sections (pain, functionality, and cosmetic). Both questionnaires
are scored from 0 to 100, where 0 corresponds with no complaints, and a higher score
indicates greater disability.
Surgical Technique
Reconstruction of the RULs was performed as described by Adams et al.[9]
[13] In summary, the TFCC is reconstructed by drilling a tunnel through the radius proximal
to the lunate fossa and radial to the articular surface of the sigmoid notch. Another
tunnel is drilled obliquely through the ulnar head from the ulnar neck at its subcutaneous
border to the fovea of the ulnar head, after which a palmaris longus, toe extensor
tendon, or plantaris tendon is harvested and pulled through both tunnels, The two
limbs are subsequently pulled taut.
Postoperative Treatment
All patients had been given above elbow circular cast for 3 weeks followed by removable
forearm cast for 3 weeks, combined with hand therapy. Hand therapy lasted for 3 to
6 months.
Statistical Analysis
Patient demographics were reported using descriptive statistics. Means, SD, and ranges
were reported for continuous variables, frequencies, and percentages for categorical
variables. We performed bivariate analysis using Student's t-test for continuous variables to assess the association between continuous variables
and having an Adams procedure. A two-sided P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
The senior author (A.H.S.) clinically evaluated the stability of the DRUJ in all patients
postoperatively and concluded after an average time of 7.8 months (range: 1.6–40)
that all wrists were stable. Patients who returned with wrist instability all did
so after DRUJ stability was initially confirmed clinically by the senior author (A.H.S.).
Three patients had additional surgical procedures for recurrent instability. These
patients had heard and felt a “snap” in the wrist. Time from the operation to return
to the outpatient clinic with these complaints ranged from 7 months to a little over
3 years. Diagnostic wrist magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed complete detachment
of the tendon grafts in all three patients. Which part the tendon grafts had detached
from was not recoverable from the MRI reports. However, it is likely that they had
done so at either entrance of the radial drill hole due to attenuation of one of the
graft limbs, as the angle the graft limbs make is the sharpest there. They had a re-do
of the Adams procedure 3 to 10 months after detachment of the tendon graft, after
which wrist stability was regained. Twenty-two patients, including the three patients
who had a re-do of the Adams procedure, were examined and asked to finish the questionnaires
after a mean follow-up of 5.0 years (SD 2.0). After this period, DASH-scores averaged
13.1 (SD 18.6), and PRWHE scores averaged 20.3 (SD 17.1, [Table 2]).
Table 2
Postoperative DASH and PRWHE scores
|
Questionnaire
|
Average ± SD (range)
|
|
DASH
|
13.1 ± 18.6 (0–82)
|
|
PRWHE
|
20.3 ± 17.1 (2–65)
|
Abbreviations: DASH, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, Hand; PRWHE, patient-rated
wrist and hand evaluation; SD, standard deviation.
In these 22 patients, we found significant differences in supination and pronation
between the operated and non-operated hand in favor of the healthy wrist ([Table 3]). There was no statistically significant difference between the healthy wrist and
operated wrist in all other planes of motion. Furthermore, we found a significant
difference in postoperative grip strength between the non-operative and operative
hand.
Table 3
Range of motion and grip strength of the wrists
|
Range of motion (degrees)
|
Non-operated wrist average ± SD (range)
|
Operated wrist average ± SD (range)
|
Operated/non-operated wrist ± SD (range)
|
p-Value
|
|
Flexion
|
70.5 ± 10.3 (45–90)
|
67.0 ± 6.7 (55–80)
|
97.4 ± 20.7 (70.6–177)
|
0.18
|
|
Extension
|
71.8 ± 7.8 (60–85)
|
71.8 ± 8.4 (55–85)
|
101 ± 14.0 (70.6–123)
|
1.00
|
|
Ulnar deviation
|
34.1 ± 7.0 (25–55)
|
30.9 ± 7.0 (20–50)
|
93.0 ± 23.9 (57.1–142)
|
0.10
|
|
Radial deviation
|
20.5 ± 5.5 (10–35)
|
17.7 ± 4.8 (5.0–25)
|
91.5 ± 32.1 (25.0–150)
|
0.062
|
|
Supination
|
80.9 ± 13.2 (45–100)
|
71.4 ± 17.1 (30–105)
|
93.0 ± 25.9 (11.8–150)
|
0.048
|
|
Pronation
|
82.0 ± 9.1 (60–100)
|
73.0 ± 17.9 (10–95)
|
90.2 ± 25.2 (50.0–166)
|
0.026
|
|
Grip strength (kg)
|
Non-operated wrist average ± SD (range)
|
Operated wrist average ± SD (range)
|
Operated/non-operated wrist ± SD (range)
|
p-Value
|
|
Three time average
|
42.7 ± 14.3 (22–68)
|
38.6 ± 17.2 (9.0–79)
|
89.7 ± 22.4 (30.2–127)
|
0.013
|
Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.
Discussion
The DRUJ is of vital importance if the biomechanical role of the wrist is to be preserved,[2] and the Adams procedure was designed to conserve its function by reconstructing
the volar and dorsal RULs. The main findings of this study were that the Adams procedure
yields good long-term results while looking at wrist function and disability, since
we found no significant difference in ROM between the healthy wrists and the operated
wrists in all planes of motion except supination and pronation. We also found a significant
difference in grip strength between the two hands in favor of the healthy hand.
Our findings should be considered in light of a few shortcomings. Due to a low response
rate, our sample size might not be large enough to reveal a true difference within
the treatment group. Also, the retrospective nature is an obvious drawback. Functional
results could only be compared with the contralateral side and not to the preoperative
situation. In the future, larger and preferably randomized studies are needed.
Gugger et al reported an average postoperative DASH score of 24.4 (3–57)[16] which, compared with our findings (13.1 SD 18.6), exhibits greater disability. The
contrast to our findings could be explained by the large number of radius fractures
in their cohort. We found no other studies that reported DASH scores in patients who
underwent the Adams procedure. Jester et al[17] found a mean DASH score of 13 points (SD 15) in a healthy working population, which
is comparable to the mean postoperative score of our study population (13.1 SD 18.6).We
found no studies that reported PRWHE scores in patients who underwent the Adams procedure.
The range of pronation and supination is arguably the most important indicator of
integrity of the DRUJ.[18] Adams and Lawler aimed for a pronation and supination ROM of at least 85% 6 months
postoperatively compared with pre-operative measurements.[10] Gugger et al also compared the operated wrist with the healthy wrist and reported
an average postoperative pronation an supination ROM of 89% with a similar average
follow-up time of 5.6 years (2.2–9.2).[16] Adams and Berger reported average postoperative pronation and supination ROM of
84% and 80%, respectively, when compared with the healthy side and unchanged flexion-extension
and radial-ulnar deviation ROM with an average follow-up of 2.2 years (1–4).[12] The pronation–supination rates reported are lower compared with our findings with
90.2% (SD 25.2) and 93.0% (SD 25.9), respectively, and the significant difference
in pronation we found may be the result of the position of the reconstructed dorsal
RUL during immobilization.[2]
[7]
Adams and Berger measured an average postoperative grip strength of 85% of the healthy
hand,[12] which is comparable to our findings with a longer follow-up (89.7% SD 22.4). While
Gugger et al measured an average postoperative grip strength of only 69% (40–105)
compared with the healthy hand.[16] The difference to our findings could again be explained by the large number of radius
fractures in their cohort (almost 80%).
Henry[19] described a procedure that also stabilizes the DRUJ and, in contrast to the Adams
procedure, replicates the normal anatomy by restoring both the volar and dorsal limbs
of the RUL by re-attaching the RUL through intra-articular coronal drill tunnels in
the radius. After an average of 51 months postoperatively, he reported better DASH
scores (7 ± 3). However, he did describe worse percentages of contralateral grip strength
(79%), and worse ROM was reported with flexion, extension, supination, and pronation
averaging 61 ± 10, 62 ± 15, 74 ± 7, and 71 ± 8, respectively. The discrepancies found
here might be because these measurements were all taken at 6 months postoperatively
in contrast to our measurements, which were taken at an average of 5.0 years postoperatively.
Brink and Hanneman[20] studied a relatively new technique that stabilizes the DRUJ by pulling a palmaris
tendon through drilled canals in the radius and ulna. A central knot prevents the
tendon from slipping out of the radius on one end; a tenodesis screw prevents the
tendon from slipping out the ulna on the other end. Tension and subsequent stability
are thus ensured. After a mean follow-up time of 25 months, they reported worse average
QuickDASH and PRWHE scores, averaging 29.6 and 33.6, respectively. The differences
to the scores reported in the present study might be explained by the fact that their
cohort included only posttraumatic patients. Unfortunately, no other articles describing
procedures that restored total anatomic function (in contrast to only the dorsal or
volar RUL) were found in relation to patient reported outcomes.
In conclusion, reconstruction of the DRUJ according to Adams affects but largely restores
pronation and supination. Furthermore, it yields good results in the long term and
compares well to other procedures restoring the DRUJ. Post-operative clinical examination,
DASH, and PRWHE scores indicate that the Adams procedure is effective in the elimination
of gross instability of the wrist, leaving patients with an upper extremity functionality
comparable to that of a healthy working population.
