Aseptic loosening of an APTIS distal radioulnar joint arthroplasty – Case report

Dysfunction of the distal radioulnar joint can cause significant pain and instability. The self-stabilizing APTIS distal radioulnar joint prosthesis is used as a solution for severe distal radioulnar joint pathologies. We present a case of a 60-year-old male, who received an APTIS distal radioulnar joint prosthesis which resulted in aseptic loosening within five years of the initial implantation. Infection, incorrect implantation, demographic differences and over-activity were all excluded as the source; therefore, mechanical aseptic loosening was concluded. Ultimately, two surgeries were required to resolve the patient's pain, which resulted in a one-bone forearm once the implant was extracted. The solution to a failed APTIS implant, a one bone forearm, is difficult and protracted, so every effort should be attempted to preserve distal ulna bone stock before resorting to the implantation of this device.