title: Long-term outcomes of ulnar shortening osteotomy for idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome: at least 5-years follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There have been few outcomes studies with follow-up after performing ulnar shortening osteotomy for ulnar impaction syndrome. We investigated the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of ulnar shortening osteotomy for the treatment of idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed 36 patients who had undergone ulnar shortening osteotomy for idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome for a mean follow-up of 79.1 months (range, 62 to 132 months). The modified Gartland and Werley scores were measured pre- and postoperatively. The radiographic parameters for the assessment of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) as well as the relationship between these radiographic parameters and the clinical and radiological outcomes were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average modified Gartland and Werley wrist score improved from 65.5 ± 8.1 preoperatively to 93.4 ± 5.8 at the last follow-up visit. The average preoperative ulnar variance of 4.7 ± 2.0 mm was reduced to an average of -0.6 ± 1.4 mm postoperatively. Osteoarthritic changes of the DRUJ were first seen at 34.8 ± 11.1 months follow-up in 6 of 36 wrists (16.7%). Those who had osteoarthritic changes in the DRUJ had significantly wider preoperative ulnar variance, a longer distal radioulnar distance and a greater length of ulnar shortening, but the wrist scores of the patients who had osteoarthritic changes in the DRUJ were comparable to those who did not have osteoarthritic changes in the DRUJ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical outcomes are satisfactory for even more than 5 years after ulnar shortening osteotomy for treating idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome despite the osteoarthritic changes of the DRUJ. The patients who need a larger degree of ulnar shortening may develop DRUJ arthritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ghbaek@snu.ac.kr
authors.forename: Goo Hyun
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: Hyuk Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyun Sik
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Seung Hwan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Jihyeung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kang Wook
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Bong Young
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Won Seok
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Oh
mesh_terms: D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013577:Syndrome; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014457:Ulna / Q000601:surgery*