The outcomes and clinical analysis of cystic changes of carpal bones in ulnar impaction syndrome

Abstract

Objective To investigate the factors associated with the occurrence of cystic changes in carpal bones in ulnar impaction syndrome and treatment outcomes of ulnar shortening osteotomy.Methods Sixty-one cases of definite diagnosis of ulnar impaction syndrome treated with ulnar shortening osteotomy from January 2008 to June 2013 were reviewed.To determine the factors associated with carpal bone cystic changes,a comparative analysis was performed with respect to gender,age,side of hand involved,duration of symptoms and ulnar variance.The cystic change area was measured on radiographs taken during follow-up.Results Among the 61 patients 16 had cystic changes of the carpal bones.The occurrence rate was 26.2％.There were 10 men and 6 women with an average age of 47 years.Left hands were involved in 7 cases while right hands in 9 cases.The average duration of symptoms was 11 months.Follow-up period ranged from 1 to 25 months after ulnar shortening.Three patients were lost to follow up.In 4 patients,cystic changes had completely disappeared at the last follow-up from 6 months to 2 years.Conclusion The cystic changes were found to only correlate with age.They tend to self-heal after ulnar shortening osteotomy. Key words: Carpal bones; Clinical research; Ulnar impaction syndrome; Cystic changes