[The value of the Kapandji-Sauvé procedure with considering clinical results and measurement of bone density. A clinical study].

Between 1989 and 1995, 33 patients were treated with a Kapandji-Sauvé procedure for malunited fracture of the distal radius and instabilities of the distal radioulnar joint. Thirty patients were followed up with a mean follow-up time of 91 months. Fourteen patients underwent a measurement of bone density of the distal forearm. Twenty-eight patients showed good ossification of the distal radioulnar arthrodesis. Forearm rotation improved by 17.3 %. Mean grip strength was 72 % of that of the contralateral hand. Evaluation by the Cooney score resulted in 10 % very good, in 65 % good, 22 % fair and in 3 % poor results. The measurement of bone density of the distal radius showed an increase of rotation and flexure firmness. The cortical density remained constant. In the subcortical bone of the distal radius, we found a decrease of the trabecular density in the radial part.