Results of ulnar shortening osteotomy for ulnocarpal abutment after malunited distal radius fracture.

Surgical correction for ulnocarpal abutment syndrome after malunited distal radius fracture remains controversial. We reviewed sixteen patients (7 men, 9 women) who underwent isolated ulnar-shortening osteotomy for ulnar wrist pain as their main complaint. Mean age was 48 years. The range of flexion-extension increased from 81 degrees to 103 degrees, and range of supination-pronation from 120 degrees to 142 degrees after osteotomy. Mean grip strength increased from 49% to 69%. Mayo wrist score was excellent in 2 cases, good in 7 cases, fair in 6 cases, and poor in 1 case. Grip strength was found to correlate with radial inclination and flexion-extension range with the amount of ulna shortening.