Distal Ulna Temporary Epiphysiodesis With a Surgeon-Made Staple

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Pediatric orthopedics
• Limb deformity correction

Background:

• Premature distal radius growth arrest can result in ulnar positive variance, potentially causing ulnar abutment syndrome or distal radioulnar joint instability.
• Significant length discrepancies (>2.5 mm) between the distal radius and ulna necessitate treatment, especially in pediatric patients.
• Current treatments like permanent epiphysiodesis or ulnar shortening osteotomy may not be ideal due to age and growth potential considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel surgical technique for temporary distal ulnar epiphysiodesis.
• To address the limitations of existing hardware for guided growth in the upper extremity.

Main Methods:

• Development and application of a surgeon-made staple for temporary distal ulnar epiphysiodesis.
• Adaptation of guided growth principles, typically used in lower extremities, for upper extremity limb length discrepancies.

Main Results:

• The described technique provides a method for temporary epiphysiodesis in the distal ulna.
• This approach offers a potential solution for managing limb length discrepancies in pediatric patients where standard hardware is unsuitable.

Conclusions:

• Temporary distal ulnar epiphysiodesis using a surgeon-made staple is a viable technique.
• This method provides an alternative for managing premature distal radius growth arrest and associated ulnar positive variance in children.