[Arthroscopic partial resection of the ulnar head for ulnocarpal decompression]

Arthroscopic decompression (wafer procedure) of the ulnocarpal compartment in patients with ulnar impaction syndrome.

The arthroscopic wafer procedure is recommended in ulnar-plus situations with up to 3 mm length-excess. To perform this procedure the ulnar head needs to be accessible for the burr through a pre-existing, impaction-related, centroradial lesion of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). The additional presence of a distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) type C confirms the indication.

The wafer procedure is contraindicated if there is no consistent TFCC injury ensuring access to the ulnar head and furthermore in ulna-plus situations of more than 3 mm. Relative contraindications: in young patients due to lack of evidence-based studies.

Arthroscopic, semicircular, partial resection of the ulnar head in terms of oblique-helicoidal osteotomy using a 4.2 mm burr, while sparing the DRUJ and the dorsal and the palmar radioulnar ligaments.

Immobilization for 1 week in a palmar splint with immediate intensive exercising of pro- and supination under physiotherapeutic instruction.

Between 2008 and 2010, an arthroscopic wafer procedure was performed in 24 patients. The resection of the ulnar head was 2.5 mm on average. After a mean follow-up time of 13.25 months, very good results were archived in 23 of 24 patients; the ulnar impingement test was negative. On a visual analog scale (0-10) average postoperative pain was 1.16 at rest and 4.5 under stress. The mean postoperative DASH score was 13.4.