The Ortho-Bridge System for Simplified Ulna-Shortening Osteotomy

To report the effect of the bridge-combined internal fixation system to achieve simplified ulnar shortening osteotomy in the treatment of ulnar impaction syndrome.

A total of 25 patients with ulnar impaction syndrome caused by positive ulnar variance were included in the case series. They were 14 women and 11 men with average age of 43.2 ± 10.1 years. All operations were carried out by the same senior surgeon. The clinical outcomes were evaluated in terms of range of motion, grip strength, visual analog scale and Mayo wrist score. The ulnar variance and complications of rotation, angulation, and nonunion were determined radiographically.

Mean duration of follow-up was 13.5 ± 1.2 months. The ulnar variance was corrected successfully in all 25 cases without rotation, angulation, and nonunion. The visual analog scale score at the last follow-up decreased from the preoperative score, and the Mayo wrist score increased. Grip strength and joint range of motion improved compared with preoperative values.

The bridge-combined internal fixation system achieved successful restoration of ulnar variance without rotation, angulation, and nonunion. It represents an alternative for treating ulnocarpal impaction syndrome.

Therapeutic IV.