Ulnar shortening using the AO small distractor

Twenty-four patients (24 wrists) with ulnar impaction syndrome underwent ulnar shortening osteotomy. They were reviewed retrospectively to evaluate a technique using the AO small distractor and 2.7-mm dynamic compression plate. A transverse osteotomy using an external compression device and compression plating was performed in all cases. The average follow-up time was 32 months. Clinical and radiographic union occurred at an average of 9.7 weeks. There were no nonunions. This study demonstrates that ulnar transverse shortening osteotomy with external compression and plating is a simple and effective method of ulnar shortening, and that highly precise and complex instrumentation is not essential.