Arthroscopic wafer resection for ulnar impaction syndrome: prediction of outcomes

Twenty-six patients with mean age of 38.5 (range 18-59), from 1998 to 2005, with ulnar impaction syndrome who failed nonoperative treatments were included in our study. Patients' age, history of previous wrist fracture, presence of MRI signs and ulnar variance were recorded as variables. Also, patients' postoperative strength (compared to the contralateral wrist) and pain relief were collected as outcome measurements. Twenty-two patients (84.6%) had either good or excellent pain relief (median 4, range 1-4). Significant correlation was found between MRI findings and postop pain relief (r = 0.53, p < or = 0.01). History of previous distal radius fractures was negatively correlated with pain relief (r = -0.50, p < or = 0.01). No correlation was found between postop strength and any of the variables. Presence of MRI signs of UIS is a predictor of good outcome in arthroscopic wafer resection.