Combined ulnar shortening osteotomy and elastic suspended fixation in treatment of ulnar impaction syndrome

Abstract

To investigate the effectiveness of ulnar shortening osteotomy combined with elastic suspension fixation for ulnar impaction syndrome caused by relatively long ulna. Between October 2015 and August 2016, 3 cases of ulnar impaction syndrome were treated. One patient was male and 2 patients were females. The age was 32, 29, and 59 years, respectively. One patient was dislocation and impaction of distal radioulnar joint for more than 1 year after internal fixation due to ulnar and radial open fractures. Other patients had no trauma and surgery, but long-term manual history. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were 7, 5, and 5, respectively. Cooney wrist function scores were rated as poor. Preoperative X-ray measurements of the ulnar variance was 12.7, 9.0, and 8.7 mm, respectively. The ulna was transversely osteotomy and fixed with plate and screws. The distal radioulnar joint was elastic suspension fixed with mini plate. Postoperative X-ray film showed that the matching of the distal radioulnar joint had no significant difference compared with the contralateral side. All the incisions healed by first intention without complication such as neurovascular injury, infection, and dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint. The patients were followed up 27, 17, and 23 months, respectively. At last follow-up, X-ray film showed that all osteotomy segments achieved bony union without internal fixation failure. The VAS scores were 2, 0, and 1, respectively, and the Cooney wrist function scores were rated as excellent. The ulnar shortening osteotomy combined with elastic suspension fixation can correct the ulna variation, avoid the instability of the distal radioulnar joint caused by the extensive dissection of the tissue around the ulnar, and avoid stiffness of the joints caused by rigid fixation. It is an ideal treatment for ulna impaction syndrome.