Ulnar shortening or arthroscopic wafer resection for ulnar impaction syndrome

The outcome of ulnar shortenings was compared to the outcome after arthroscopic wafer resections for ulnar impaction (or abutment) syndrome in patients with a positive ulnar variance. Both surgical techniques are described. The outcome was measured by the DASH score, the visual analogue score for pain and the working incapacity. The mean DASH score in the ulnar shortening group was 26, in the wafer group it was 36. The VAS were respectively 4.4 and 4.6. The working incapacity was 7 months in the ulnar shortening group and 6.1 months in the wafer group. The differences between the two groups were not statistically significant.