Progressive ulnar translocation of the carpus and problems with the ulnar stump have been reported after resection of the distal ulna in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However this has only occasionally been quantitatively assessed. In this study 24 wrists in 21 patients with RA were followed up for an average of 100 months after resection of the distal ulna. An additional 24 wrists in 14 non-operated RA patients were followed up for 92 months. In a retrospective radiographic analysis we demonstrate similar increases in ulnar translocation and ulnar-carpal distances in both groups.