Purpose: We evaluated the clinical and radiographic outcome of the Sauve-Kapandji procedure for the treatment of advanced distal radioulnar joint arthritis. Materials and Methods: Between January 2001 and July 2013, 26 patients, 31 wrists were treated for advanced distal radioulnar joint arthritis with Sauve-Kapandji procedure. Twenty-two patients (27 wrists) had rheumatoid arthritis and the remaining 4 patients (4 wrists) had osteoarthritis. The average age of patients was 50 years (range, 25-74 years). Twenty-one patients were women and 5 were men. Patients were evaluated in terms of wrist pain, bony union, instability of the ulnar proximal stump, ulnar stump pain, range of motion, and other complications. Pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Radiographic evaluation included calculation of the carpal translation index to assess the extent of ulnar translation of the carpus. The average follow-up period after surgeries was 36.8 months (range, 6-152 months). Results: Pain was resolved in 24 patients with 29 wrists, but mild pain was remained in 2 patients (2 wrists). The average VAS score improved from 4 ± 1.88 preoperatively to 0.71 ± 0.9 at the last follow-up (P = .001). Bone unions in distal radioulnar joint were obtained in all 26 patients, 31 wrists at mean 10.7 (range, 6-28) weeks after operation. The supination/pronation range of motion was changed from 55/50° preoperatively to 79/71° at postoperative 6 months follow-up (P = .31). The mean carpal translation index did not change after the operation. Conclusion: The Sauve-Kapandji procedure is a reliable method of relieving pain, preserving range of motion (supination/pronation) and preventing ulnar translation of the carpus in managements of the severely destroyed distal radioulnar joints.
