Performance of the Aptis Distal Radioulnar Joint Implant: A Clinical Case Series Including Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography Kinematic Analysis

Abstract

High complication rates and surgical revision rates following Aptis implant placement have been reported in the literature. This study evaluates the performance of the Aptis implant of twelve patients using four-dimensional kinematic analysis. The (mean) follow-up was 58 months. Wrist motion, grip strength, and kinematic analysis of both arms were used to investigate possible causes of the reported complications. In nine cases (75%), the proximal to distal translation of the distal radius along the ulnar axis in the affected forearm was too little or absent. Significant correlations were found between postoperative extension and translation of the distal radius along the ulnar axis and between the radial deviation and combined error. The four-dimensional kinematic analysis suggests that the current design of the implant could lead to limited restoration of the position of the forearm rotation axis and the translation of the radius along the ulnar axis.