Decompression of the ulnar wrist joint compartment by decompression osteotomy of the head of the ulna
Pechlaner, S.
Handchirurgie Mikrochirurgie Plastische Chirurgie Organ der Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Handchirurgie Organ der Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Mikrochirurgie der Peripheren Nerven und Gefasse Organ der V. 30(6): 375-378
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0722-1819 PMID: 9888008 Document Number: 493279
Both post-traumatic shortening of the radius and positive ulnar variance can lead to a compression syndrome in the ulnar compartment of the wrist. The indication for a decompression osteotomy of the ulnar head after a distal radius fracture is limited to only those cases in which there is a slight shortening without a deviation of the axis of the distal radius. In order to enlarge the space between the ulnar head and proximal row of the carpal bones, a 2 to 3 mm slice is taken from the ulnar head by means of two oblique, parallel osteotomies and fragment retention with two screws. 47 patients were re-examined after an average period of 3 1/2 (1 to 8) years. In 23 cases the results were very good and in 17 cases good. In five cases the results were poor. In two cases, the bone did not heal and the Kapandji-Sauvé procedure was performed.