Ulnar shortening osteotomy with a premounted sliding-hole plate

BACKGROUND: Ulnar shortening osteotomy represents a common procedure for various ulnar-sided wrist disorders but is still associated with complications like malrotation, angulation, or nonunion because of incomplete closure of the osteotomy gap. We describe the use of a newly developed palmarly placed sliding-hole dynamic compression plate that allows fixation of the ulna before the oblique osteotomy is carried out. METHODS: We performed ulnar shortening osteotomy on 27 consecutive patients. The indication was ulnar impaction syndrome in 25 patients and symptomatic ulnar plus variance secondary to malunited distal radial fracture in 2 patients. The mean preoperative ulnar variance was +2.1 mm (range, +1 mm to +8 mm). All patients were evaluated before and after surgery and graded with the Disability of Arm-Shoulder-Hand (DASH) scoring system. RESULTS: All 27 osteotomies healed uneventfully over an average of 9.2 +/- 2.1 weeks. The mean postoperative ulnar variance was -2.1 mm (range, -3.1 mm to 0 mm). There were significant improvements in DASH score, pain, and grip strength at an average follow-up of 8.1 months. Six patients complained of plate irritation. CONCLUSION: Favorable results suggest that ulnar shortening osteotomy using an oblique osteotomy and a premounted sliding-hole compression plate avoids malrotation and angulation and is associated with satisfactory outcomes. This device does not require an assisting device, which minimizes the surgical exposure of the ulna. Palmar placement of the plate seems to reduce hardware irritation.     

Ulnar shortening osteotomy with a new sliding-hole plate

Ulnar shortening osteotomy represents a common procedure for surgical treatment of the ulnar impaction syndrome but is still associated with complications like malrotation, angulation, or malunion because of incomplete closure of the osteotomy gap. Therefore, the authors developed a special 7-hole compression plate that allows fixation of the ulna before the osteotomy is carried out to prevent rotation. With this plate, a shortening of up to 10 mm is possible and the compression holes allow closure of the osteotomy gap. The plate has been used in 23 ulnar shortening cases at their center with good results. The authors describe the technique and report their results of ulnar shortening with this device.     

Ulnar shortening osteotomy

Objective  Ulnar shortening to unload the ulnocarpal ligamentous complex. Indications  Clinically relevant ulnar impaction syndrome, be it congenital or posttraumatic. Contraindications  Concomitant pronounced malunion of the radius. Osteoarthritis of the distal radioulnar joint. Surgical Technique  Ulnopalmar approach. Oblique osteotomy of the ulna in its distal third. Removal of a bony wafer of predetermined thickness. Internal fixation with a 7-hole LD-DC plate or special plate and lag screw. Results  29 patients (14 men, 15 women, average age 42 years) underwent an ulnar shortening osteotomy for a therapyresistant ulnar impaction syndrome. Follow-up after an average of 25(7–37) months. Average amount of shortening 4.5 (1.5–13) mm. 72% reduction of pain as determined with a visual analog scale. The range of motion was improved by 7% in extension/flexion, by 8% in abduction/adduction, and by 11% in pronation/supination. Grip strength measured with a vigorimeter (balloon size 5) increased by 12%. Complications: three malunions, effectively treated by revision of internal fixation.     

Ulnar shortening osteotomy after Colles fracture

Ulnar shortening is well accepted in the treatment of ulnar abutment but less so in patients with a shortened radius and ulnar-sided wrist pain as a result of a Colles fracture. Sixteen patients with pain and reduced range of movement (ROM) and a median preoperative ulnar positive variance of 5 mm (range 0.5–11) had 17 osteotomies. Nine were male and seven female with a median age of 35 (range 15–55) years were operated on. Fifteen patients with 16 osteotomies could be reached for follow-up. The ulna was shortened by a median of 4.5 mm (range 3–12). The median pain score was reduced by 3 points (range 0–5). Postoperative ROM was improved in nine, unchanged in six, and reduced in one wrists. There were four complications: one re-fracture, two transient paraesthesiae, and one superficial infection. Seven of the patients regarded the result as excellent, six as good, three as fair, and none regarded it as poor. Thirteen of the 16 would have chosen the operation again, three would not.     

Ulnar shortening osteotomy after Colles fracture.

Ulnar shortening is well accepted in the treatment of ulnar abutment but less so in patients with a shortened radius and ulnar-sided wrist pain as a result of a Colles fracture. Sixteen patients with pain and reduced range of movement (ROM) and a median preoperative ulnar positive variance of 5 mm (range 0.5-11) had 17 osteotomies. Nine were male and seven female with a median age of 35 (range 15-55) years were operated on. Fifteen patients with 16 osteotomies could be reached for follow-up. The ulna was shortened by a median of 4.5 mm (range 3-12). The median pain score was reduced by 3 points (range 0-5). Postoperative ROM was improved in nine, unchanged in six, and reduced in one wrists. There were four complications: one re-fracture, two transient paraesthesiae, and one superficial infection. Seven of the patients regarded the result as excellent, six as good, three as fair, and none regarded it as poor. Thirteen of the 16 would have chosen the operation again, three would not.     

Ulnar shortening osteotomy for ulnar ideopathic impaction syndrome

Twenty-eight patients were treated by ulnar shortening osteotomy for static or dynamic ulnar impaction syndrome. Ulnar variance was measured on a true anteroposterior radiograph. There were 25 wrists that were too long, two neutral, and one that was short. Bones were shortened by a mean of 3.5 mm. Mean follow-up time was 29 months (range 7–60), all with confirmed consolidation. At final follow-up mean grip strength had improved from 67% to 75%, mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score from 40 (range 12–83) to 26 (range 0–61) and mean range of movement from 80% (range 40%–100%) to 88% (range 50%–100%). Smoking, age at operation, type of osteotomy (transverse or oblique), dominance of hand, and sex did not influence consolidation or functionality. Special attention was paid to the anatomy of the distal radioulnar joint and the inclination of the sigmoid notch of the radius. There was no correlation between the anatomy and the functional outcome scores. Mean consolidation time (10 months) (range 2–32) and return to work were longer than in similar studies. Our findings confirm the usefulness of ulnar shortening osteotomy in the relief of ulnocarpal impingement symptoms.     

Ulnar shortening osteotomy in idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome can be defined as a degenerative condition of the ulnar aspect of the wrist in patients with congenital or dynamic positive ulnar variance without a history of fracture or premature physeal arrest. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical features of idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome and the outcomes of ulnar shortening osteotomy for this group of patients. METHODS: Thirty-one wrists in twenty-nine patients with idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome were treated with an ulnar shortening osteotomy. Ulnar variance was measured on an anteroposterior radiograph of the wrist, and radioulnar distance was measured on a lateral radiograph, with the forearm in neutral rotation, to evaluate any displacement of the ulnar head from the distal aspect of the radius. All patients were followed clinically and radiographically for a mean of thirty-two months. RESULTS: An average preoperative ulnar variance of +4.6 mm (range, 2 to 7.5 mm) was reduced to an average of -0.7 mm (range, -4 to +1 mm) postoperatively. Preoperatively, the modified Gartland and Werley score was an average (and standard deviation) of 69.5 +/- 7.6, with twenty-four wrists rated poor and seven rated fair. Postoperatively, the score improved to an average of 92.5 +/- 8.0, with twenty-four wrists rated excellent; five, good; one, fair; and one, poor. Dorsal subluxation of the distal aspect of the ulna was found concomitantly in nine wrists, and it was found to be reduced by the shortening osteotomy. Seven patients had cystic changes in the carpal bones preoperatively, but these were not evident one to two years after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Ulnar shortening osteotomy improved wrist function in patients with idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome and reduced the subluxation of the distal radioulnar joint, which is commonly found in these patients. Degenerative cystic changes of the ulnar carpal bones appear to resolve following the shortening osteotomy.     

Ulnar shortening osteotomy for ulnar ideopathic impaction syndrome.

Twenty-eight patients were treated by ulnar shortening osteotomy for static or dynamic ulnar impaction syndrome. Ulnar variance was measured on a true anteroposterior radiograph. There were 25 wrists that were too long, two neutral, and one that was short. Bones were shortened by a mean of 3.5 mm. Mean follow-up time was 29 months (range 7-60), all with confirmed consolidation. At final follow-up mean grip strength had improved from 67% to 75%, mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score from 40 (range 12-83) to 26 (range 0-61) and mean range of movement from 80% (range 40%-100%) to 88% (range 50%-100%). Smoking, age at operation, type of osteotomy (transverse or oblique), dominance of hand, and sex did not influence consolidation or functionality. Special attention was paid to the anatomy of the distal radioulnar joint and the inclination of the sigmoid notch of the radius. There was no correlation between the anatomy and the functional outcome scores. Mean consolidation time (10 months) (range 2-32) and return to work were longer than in similar studies. Our findings confirm the usefulness of ulnar shortening osteotomy in the relief of ulnocarpal impingement symptoms.     

Ulnar shortening

Ulnar shortening is a procedure that has steadily grown in popularity over the past decade. This technique was originally introduced to treat ulnar impaction following a displaced distal radial fracture. However, indications for ulnar shortening have increased over the years to include luno-triquetral tears and early degenerative arthritis at the distal radial-ulnar joint. Today the operation is more precisely performed due to technologic advances in surgical equipment. These advances include a specialized saw guide that allows the creation of perfectly parallel surfaces at known widths, a compression device that permits the osteotomy surfaces to be easily approximated with the plate already positioned on the ulna, and a specialized ulnar slotted plate that allows an interfragmentary screw to be placed through the plate at a 22 degrees angle. In addition to stainless steel, titanium plates are available to coordinate with standard screw sets that are made of titanium. Healing of the osteotomy is very reliable with the advent of precision oblique cuts. The major drawback to ulnar shortening is the potential need to remove the plate due to its palpable position along the ulnar subcutaneous border.     

Olecranon osteotomy repair: the tensioned locking plate technique

The tensioned locking plate technique takes advantage of two fracture healing modalities. A direct healing effect from osteon bridging due to lag screw compression is combined with axial and angular stability provided by a locking plate construct.     

The step-cut shortening osteotomy of the shaft of the ulna, technique and results

Step-cut shortening osteotomy of the ulna for impingment of the distal ulna relies on the principles enunciated by Desanfans 1953. We recommend the plate be placed on either the palmar or the dorsal aspect of the ulna. Used since 1990 this technique has enabled primarily bony healing by 6 months in all the 18 cases operated upon. A significant clinical improvement as measured by the scoring system of Chun and Palmer was noted at a median follow-up of 95.7 months. Shortening did not unfortunately, appear to stabilize the distal ulna and those patients with residual clinical radioulnar instability had significantly worse results. We conclude that the technique presented gives reliable bone healing. It is a versatile and simple technique that requires no special instrumentation but does demand skill and precision.     

Oblique ulnar shortening osteotomy with a new plate and compression system

Ulnocarpal abutment or the ulnocarpal impaction syndrome occurs when excessive loads exist between the distal ulna and ulnar carpus. This overloading occurs as a result of the distal ulnar articular surface being more distal than the ulnar articular surface of the distal radius. This situation has been termed positive ulnar variance, and it can quickly lead to ulnar-sided wrist degenerative changes and functional losses. Patients often have vague, ulnar-sided complaints of chronic pain and swelling with an insidious onset that does not correlate with any specific traumatic event. Many procedures have been developed to alleviate this condition, but the gold standard for correcting positive ulnar variance is the ulnar shortening osteotomy. The goals of the shortening procedure are to relieve pain and prevent arthritis by reestablishing a neutral or slightly negative ulnar variance. We describe a new plate and compression system in which an oblique ulnar diaphyseal osteotomy is both completed and stabilized through the same jig-based system.     

Results of ulnar shortening osteotomy with a new plate compression system

Purpose

The gold standard for treatment of ulnar impaction has become ulnar shortening osteotomy. Previous reports in the literature have shown not only good results with relief of ulnar-sided wrist pain but also significant nonunion rates and painful hardware necessitating further surgery and potentially, metal removal. The purpose of this paper is to review the success rate of ulnar shortening osteotomy utilizing a low profile compression plate designed specifically for ulnar shortening osteotomy.

Methods

Ninety-three patients with ulnar abutment syndrome underwent ulnar shortening osteotomy with the low profile osteotomy plate. There were 47 males and 46 females. The Acumed’s ulnar shortening system was utilized in all cases. The patients were evaluated for pain, range of motion, grip strength, return to work, time to union, and hardware removal. The patients’ results were validated using the Mayo Wrist Score.

Results

There was a 100 % union rate in the 93 patients. There were no nonunions or delayed unions, or any hardware removal. All patients noted an improvement in their ulnar-sided wrist pain. Utilizing the Mayo wrist classification, the average postoperative score was 84.5. The average preoperative Mayo score was 49.4, for an average increase of 35.1 points.

Conclusion

The Acumed’s low-contact plate designed specifically for ulnar shortening osteotomy demonstrated 100 % union rate and no implant removal in our series. This is the largest study to our knowledge of a series of ulnar shortening osteotomies and successful healing without the removal of any implants. Furthermore, the specifically designed ulnar shortening osteotomy plate significantly simplifies the procedure for the surgeon and improves patient outcomes with relief of ulnar-sided wrist pain.     

Ulnar lengthening and shortening

Alteration in length of the distal ulna may provide an attractive alternative to more destructive procedures commonly used for the treatment of mechanical and degenerative problems at the distal radioulnar joint. Ulnar recession has shown effectiveness in ulnolunate impingement, triangular fibrocartilage tears, and symptomatic ulnar plus variance. It has also been effective in chondromalacia of the ulnar head in the sigmoid notch and in unstable distal radioulnar joints where recession alters the bearing surface and tightens the ulnocarpal ligamentous complex. Ulnar lengthening has been efficacious in relieving the symptoms of Kienb?ck's disease by decompressing the involved portion of the lunate and distributing joint compressive force on the triquetrum and medial lunate articular surfaces. It may also be of value in some instances of NDCI associated with an ulnar minus variant.     

锁定钢板固定的闭合楔形胫骨近端截骨术治疗膝内翻

[目的]研究锁定钢板固定胫骨近端截骨术纠正膝内翻的有效性和安全性。[方法]本文为前瞻性研究,研究对象为膝内翻并伴有轻度膝关节内侧间室骨关节炎的年轻患者。作者在胫骨结节中下1/3处进行闭合楔形胫骨外侧外翻截骨,使用锁定钢板进行内固定。对术前术后的股胫角(FTA)、疼痛评分(VAS评分)和髌骨高度(InsallSalvati Index,IS指数)的改变进行评价。记录骨愈合情况和并发症的发生及处理。[结果]共有24例患者的35膝接受了胫骨近端闭合楔形外翻截骨术。患者平均年龄(28.4±6.9)岁(16⁴5)岁。平均随访(24.7±5.8)个月(1545)岁。平均随访(24.7±5.8)个月(15³3)个月。FTA矫正了(11.0±4.3)°(533)个月。FTA矫正了(11.0±4.3)°(5²2)°。VAS评分明显改善。髌骨高度变化差异无统计学意义。所有截骨均愈合,有1例延迟愈合。本组无感染发生。2膝出现腓神经损伤症状。1例出现伸拇、伸趾和足背伸无力,半年后缓解;1例出现?母长伸肌无力,目前未恢复。[结论]锁定钢板固定的胫骨近端闭合楔形外翻截骨术治疗年轻患者的膝内翻安全有效。     

经外踝截骨锁定钢板内固定行踝关节融合

目的总结经外踝截骨锁定钢板内固定行踝关节融合的手术方法和临床疗效。方法 2009年3月-2010年6月,收治18例踝关节疾病患者。男10例,女8例;年龄36～67岁,平均48岁。创伤性关节炎8例,类风湿性关节炎3例,骨关节炎5例,距骨创伤后坏死2例。病程1～6年,平均3年。主要临床症状为踝关节肿胀、疼痛,活动受限。合并踝关节内翻4例,外翻2例。根据美国矫形足踝协会(AOFAS)踝与后足评分标准,评分为(43.5±10.2)分。采用腓骨外侧入路经外踝截骨锁定钢板内固定行踝关节融合术。结果术后出现1例切口浅表感染,1例切口边缘坏死,经对症治疗后愈合。其余患者切口均Ⅰ期愈合,无早期并发症发生。16例患者获1年以上随访,随访时间1～2年,平均16个月。X线片示植骨均于术后8～16周达骨性融合,平均12周。末次随访时患者关节疼痛完全缓解,无内固定失败、畸形愈合、融合失败等并发症发生。AOFAS踝与后足评分为(83.0±6.3)分,与术前比较差异有统计学意义(t=26.20,P=0.00)。结论采用腓骨外侧入路经外踝截骨锁定钢板内固定行踝关节融合,手术操作简便,固定强度可靠,融合率高,具有良好的临床疗效。     

锁定钢板固定闭合楔形胫骨近端截骨术治疗膝内翻(24例35膝报告)

[目的]研究锁定钢板固定胫骨近端截骨术纠正膝内翻的有效性和安全性。[方法]本文为前瞻性研究,研究对象为膝内翻并伴有轻度膝关节内侧间室骨关节炎的年轻患者。作者在胫骨结节中下1/3处进行闭合楔形胫骨外侧外翻截骨,使用锁定钢板进行内固定。对术前术后的股胫角(FTA)、疼痛评分(VAS评分)和髌骨高度(InsallSalvati Index,IS指数)的改变进行评价。记录骨愈合情况和并发症的发生及处理。[结果]共有24例(35膝)接受了胫骨近端闭合楔形外翻截骨术。患者平均年龄(28.4±6.9)岁(16⁴5岁)。平均随访(24.7±5.8)个月(1545岁)。平均随访(24.7±5.8)个月(15³3个月)。FTA平均矫正(11.0±4.3)°(533个月)。FTA平均矫正(11.0±4.3)°(5²2°)。VAS评分明显改善。髌骨高度变化差异无统计学意义。所有截骨均愈合,有1例延迟愈合。本组无感染发生。2膝出现腓神经损伤症状。1例出现伸?母、伸趾和足背伸无力,半年后缓解;1例出现?母长伸肌无力,目前未恢复。[结论]锁定钢板固定胫骨近端闭合楔形外翻截骨术治疗年轻患者的膝内翻安全有效。