Treatment of Ulnar Impaction Syndrome using Arthroscopy and Ulnar Shortening Osteotomy / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To retrospectively analyze the follow-up results of patients with ulnar impaction syndrome, who were treated with arthroscopic debridement, thermal shrinkage and a simultaneous ulnar shortening osteotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven wrists from ten patients with ulnar impaction syndrome, which were diagnosed by the clinical history, physical examination, radiological evaluation and arthroscopic findings, and were treated by arthroscopic debridement, thermal shrinkage and ulnar shortening osteotomy were enrolled in this study. The minimum duration of the follow-up was one year. The ulnar variance was measured using Kreder's method, and the follow-up results were analyzed radiographically as well as clinically using the Chun and Palmer wrist score. RESULTS: According to the wrist scoring system, seven wrists were fair and four poor preoperatively. However, after surgery, eight wrists were excellent and three good. The average wrist score increased from 62 preoperatively to 93 at the last follow-up. The mean ulnar variance decreased from +3.3 mm (+0.4-+6.4 mm) preoperatively to +0.1 mm (-0.8-+1.3 mm) at the last follow-up. Radiological union of the osteotomy site was achieved after an average of 12 weeks. There were no cases of nonunion or malunion. CONCLUSION: When ulnar impaction syndrome is diagnosed by the clinical, radiological and arthroscopic findings, arthroscopic debridement, thermal shrinkage and simultaneous ulnar shortening osteotomy are useful treatments for relieving the patients symptoms.