Laurent Delbast1, Jean-Baptiste Pic2, Thibault Marty-Diloy3, Jérôme Dimet4, Cédric Lepetit5. 1. Service de chirurgie orthopédique du centre hospitalier de Mont-de-Marsan, 417, avenue Pierre-de-Coubertin, BP 417, 40024 Mont-de-Marsan cedex, France. Electronic address: laurentdelbast@yahoo.fr. 2. Service de chirurgie orthopédique du centre hospitalier de Niort, 40, avenue Charles-de-Gaulle, BP 70600, 79021 Niort cedex, France. 3. Service de chirurgie orthopédique du centre hospitalier universitaire de Poitiers, 2, rue de la-Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers, France. 4. Centre de recherche clinique GHT des Landes, centre hospitalier de Mont-de-Marsan, 417, avenue Pierre-de-Coubertin, BP 417, 40024 Mont-de-Marsan cedex, France. 5. Capio clinique Aguiléra, 21, rue de l'Estagnas, CS 60179, 64201 Biarritz, France.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The distal radioulnar (DRU) ligaments play a key role in stabilizing the DRU joint. Ligament reconstruction in this area is an accepted treatment. However, another structure may also be a significant DRUJ stabilizer-the distal oblique bundle (DOB) of the interosseous membrane (IOM). Recent studies have described DOB reconstruction methods, which should be compared to DRU ligament reconstruction. METHODS: Twelve upper limbs were used. First, a descriptive anatomy study was done to determine the prevalence and features of the DOB (insertions, thickness, and relationship with DRU ligaments). Second, biomechanical testing was done with the wrist in neutral position, supination, and pronation. Distal radius translation was evaluated first on an intact wrist then evaluated again after creating bidirectional instability. Lastly, the same tests were repeated after DRU reconstruction using the Adams-Berger technique and DOB reconstruction using the Riggenbach technique. RESULTS: The DOB was present in 50% of specimens and was bilateral. Reconstructing the DOB stabilized the wrist to the same degree as the Adams-Berger technique in neutral and pronation (8% residual major instability). Stability was harder to achieve in supination (25% major instability). It was better at controlling posterior radial translation than anterior translation (3% versus 14% major instability). CONCLUSION: DOB reconstruction appears to be a reliable and less invasive treatment option for DRUJ instability since it is extra-articular. However, the wrist's position and the direction of radial translation seem to alter the stabilization's effectiveness. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; Cadaver study.
INTRODUCTION: The distal radioulnar (DRU) ligaments play a key role in stabilizing the DRU joint. Ligament reconstruction in this area is an accepted treatment. However, another structure may also be a significant DRUJ stabilizer-the distal oblique bundle (DOB) of the interosseous membrane (IOM). Recent studies have described DOB reconstruction methods, which should be compared to DRU ligament reconstruction. METHODS: Twelve upper limbs were used. First, a descriptive anatomy study was done to determine the prevalence and features of the DOB (insertions, thickness, and relationship with DRU ligaments). Second, biomechanical testing was done with the wrist in neutral position, supination, and pronation. Distal radius translation was evaluated first on an intact wrist then evaluated again after creating bidirectional instability. Lastly, the same tests were repeated after DRU reconstruction using the Adams-Berger technique and DOB reconstruction using the Riggenbach technique. RESULTS: The DOB was present in 50% of specimens and was bilateral. Reconstructing the DOB stabilized the wrist to the same degree as the Adams-Berger technique in neutral and pronation (8% residual major instability). Stability was harder to achieve in supination (25% major instability). It was better at controlling posterior radial translation than anterior translation (3% versus 14% major instability). CONCLUSION:DOB reconstruction appears to be a reliable and less invasive treatment option for DRUJ instability since it is extra-articular. However, the wrist's position and the direction of radial translation seem to alter the stabilization's effectiveness. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; Cadaver study.