Instability of the distal radio-ulnar joint: Stabilization by a Gore-Tex ligament

Diagnosis and treatment of problems caused by instability of the distal rad io-ulnar joint are complex. In this retrospective study, the results of a u niform procedure by using a Gore-Tex ligament for stabilization of the dist al radio-ulnar joint are presented. In eight patients, nine wrists were ope rated on. The mean age of the patients was 35 years. The dominant side was involved in six patients. The mean follow-up was 3.4 years. Three of nine w rist problems were of spontaneous onset. In these wrists, the final results were excellent. The other six wrists were operated on for problems after t rauma: four patients after soft-tissue injury, one patient after distal rad ius fracture, and one patient after forearm fracture. Among these cases, on e result was excellent, four were good, and another one was fair.