gms | German Medical Science

Objectives/Interrogation: Only a few reports have compared the results of ulnar shortening osteotomy (USO) alone with those of combined arthroscopic debridement (AD) and USO. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes after USO for UIS, either with or without concomitant arthroscopic TFCC debridement.

Methods: Forty-four patients who had been diagnosed with ulnar impaction syndrome and who were scheduled to undergo ulnar shortening osteotomy were randomized into two groups, one treated by ulnar shortening osteotomy alone and the other treated by ulnar shortening osteotomy combined with arthroscopic debridement. The response to treatment, including the pain numeric rating scale in an ulnar provocation test and the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was assessed at 3 and 12 months after surgery (Figure 1 [Fig. 1]).

Results and Conclusions: The mean pain and disability scores showed significant clinical improvement at the 12-month follow-up in both groups. The pain scores at 3 months of follow-up were significantly better in the ulnar shortening osteotomy with arthroscopic debridement group. However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the disability scores at 3 and 12 months, or in the pain scores at 12month follow-up. We conclude that similar improvements in symptom severity and hand function occurred in the long term in patients both with and without concomitant arthroscopic debridement. This information regarding concomitant arthroscopy could be used in the informed consent discussion with patients scheduled for ulnar shortening osteotomy.

Table 1 [Tab. 1]