A Dorsal Approach for Ulnar Shortening Osteotomy

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Hand and wrist surgery
• Surgical outcomes research

Background:

• Ulnar impaction syndrome can lead to wrist pain and dysfunction.
• Surgical intervention, such as ulnar shortening osteotomy, is often necessary.
• Evaluating different surgical approaches is crucial for optimizing treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess long-term complications and patient satisfaction after dorsal ulnar shortening osteotomy.
• To compare outcomes of dorsal plating with other plate placements for this procedure.
• To determine the efficacy of the dorsal approach in managing ulnar impaction syndrome.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 20 patients undergoing dorsal ulnar shortening osteotomy.
• Utilized Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores.
• Assessed patient satisfaction via a custom questionnaire and documented hardware complications.

Main Results:

• Mean postoperative PRWE score was 28 and DASH score was 20.
• Fifteen out of 20 patients reported satisfaction with the procedure.
• Hardware removal was necessary in six patients; one experienced plate breakage.

Conclusions:

• Dorsal ulnar shortening osteotomy yields functional scores and complication rates similar to other plating methods.
• The incidence of hardware removal is consistent with prior research.
• The dorsal approach is technically accessible and a viable option for treating ulnar impaction syndrome.