Health status following recessional ulnar osteotomy

This study describes the health status of 31 patients who underwent recessional ulnar osteotomy for ulnocarpal impingement. An additional lunotriquetral fusion was performed in 11/31 patients for joint degeneration. Outcomes included the DASH (Disability of arm, shoulder and hand) questionnaire, SF-36 Acute Health Survey, complications, and satisfaction with surgical outcome. Patients were stratified into two groups for analysis: osteotomy alone and osteotomy + fusion. The overall results indicated that osteotomy plus fusion in patients with more advanced ulnocarpal impingement did not equalise patients' post-operative health status to that reported by patients requiring osteotomy alone. Mean DASH and SF-36 physical component scores indicated better health status in the osteotomy group compared with the osteotomy + fusion group after surgery. Forty-one point nine per cent of patients required plate removal, and scar pain persisted in 58%. One patient in each group developed a non-union requiring revision surgery. Patients in both groups were generally satisfied with their surgical result, with a higher proportion of very or completely satisfied patients in the osteotomy group (65%) compared to the osteotomy + fusion group (27%). Overall, recessional ulnar osteotomy appears to be a successful procedure for the treatment of ulnocarpal impingement.