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UHP

Disorders of the distal radio-ulnar joint (DRUJ) are common and are usually associated with pain, weakness, instability and loss of forearm rotation. The aim of surgical treatment is to restore a painfree range of forearm rotation with a stable ulna and wrist. Today, there is no single surgical procedure which can be guaranteed to restore painfree rotation and at the same time correct any underlying instability of length discrepancy. For this reason treatment of the DRUJ remains controversial.

The ulnar head prosthesis has been designed to restore painfree forearm rotation at the same time as any length discrepancy is corrected, stability is achieved by means of a simple soft tissue repair (so called “ulnar-flap”), which is combined with a reconstruction of the triangular fibro-cartilage complex (TFCC).

The UHP consists of a prosthesis shaft and a prosthesis head.
The shaft was designed conically so that an optimal anchorage of the prosthesis shaft in the medullary canal of the ulna can be guaranteed. With this shape, it follows the anatomical conical shape of the ulna. To be able to offer intraoperative flexibility, we have developed three different stem types in three sizes each.

Our prosthetic heads are made of ceramic and are also available in three different sizes. This enables a free combination of denture shafts and heads.

After many years of experience with the ulnar head prosthesis, the system was expanded to include a spherical ulnar head prosthesis, which is especially suitable for performing a revision after an unsatisfactory Sauve-Kapandji operation. For this purpose, we have revision prostheses with built-up neck length in our portfolio.

We have made it our objective to design instruments that are easy and efficient to handle.

Area of application

The standard UHP ulnar head prosthesis is used as follows:

  • In the case of painful distal radial ulnar joint resulting from the following if the pain cannot be treated by conservative therapy:

    - Primary osteoarthritis
    - Post-traumatic osteoarthritis resulting from:
            - Radius fractures
            - Tears in the ulnocarpal ligament complex
            - Ulnar impaction syndrome
    - Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Destruction of the distal radial ulnar joint by tumors, for instance
  • As revision in the case of painful instability due to unsatisfactory results after: 
    - Darrach procedure
    - Bowers procedure
    - Sauve-Kapandji procedure

Surgical technique

UHP – Ulnar head prosthesis
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9:10 |

UHP – Ulnar head prosthesis
UHP – Ulnar head prosthesis
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9:50 |

UHP – Ulnar head prosthesis (spherical)

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