Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand 1996;1(1):104-109.
Published online January 1, 1996.

Yong Jin Kim,Hyung Kun Kim

Sauve-Kapandji procedure

김용진,김형건

Abstract

The Sauve-Kapandji procedure, a distal radioulnar arthrodesis with surgical creation of a pseudoarthrosis in the distal ulnar, was used to treat eight patients who showed severe posttraumatic painful limitation of motion at the distal radioulnar joint. The age distribution was 21 to 42 years old(32 years old in average). The follow up was done at least 12 months(23 months in average). All patients had improved in pain but two patients showed mild pain in heavy use. The supination/pronation range of motion was changed 75'(preoperatively) to 140'(last follow up). The flexion/extension range of motion was changed 70(preoperatively) to 80'(last follow up). There was no heterotrophic bone formation at the pseudoarthrosis site. One patient showed instability at the proximal ulnar stump. We found that the Sauve-Kapandji procedure is a reliable method of relieving pain while preserving motion in patients with posttraumatic painful limitation of motion of the distal radioulnar joint which was not corrected by ulnar shortening or ligament reconstruction.