What causes ulnar abutment syndrome?
Abstract. Ulnar abutment (ulnocarpal impaction) syndrome may be a source of ulnar-sided wrist pain in the athlete. This condition results from excessive load transfer across the triangular fibrocartilage complex and ulnocarpal joints with characteristic degenerative changes.
What is the consequence of negative ulnar variance?
Anatomically, negative ulnar variance (UV), may increase the mechanical stress on the lunate exerted by a relatively long radius [3,4]. In addition, individuals with vascular abnormalities including a single blood vessel supply to the lunate are thought to be at a higher risk of developing avascular necrosis [5].
What is ulnar impingement syndrome?
Ulnar impingement syndrome is a wrist condition caused by a shortened distal ulna impinging on the distal radius proximal to the sigmoid notch.
Is a negative ulnar variance serious?
Many carpal instabilities present with subtle radiographic findings requiring careful evaluation of radiographs. Patients with negative ulnar variance and histories suggestive of ligamentous instability should undergo careful radiologic evaluation to assure early diagnosis of carpal disruption.
How is ulnar variance diagnosed?
To determine ulnar variance on radiographs, the generally accepted standard view is a posteroanterior view obtained with the wrist in neutral forearm rotation, the elbow flexed 90° and the shoulder abducted 90°.
Is positive ulnar variance common?
Positive ulnar variance is the most common cause of UIS.
What is radial/ulnar deviation?
This condition is also called ulnar drift. In addition to ulnar drift, repetitive use, trauma, or chronic conditions such as arthritis can cause musculoskeletal damage to the wrist and hand; imparing radial/ulnar deviation.
What are the symptoms of ulnar deviation syndrome?
This leads to TFCC degeneration and ulnocarpal abutment syndrome, with eventual arthrosis of the ulnar wrist. This condition results in painful and restricted ulnar deviation of the wrist and diminished grip strength.
Why does the distal ulna support the ulnar side?
The complex ligamentous support of the distal ulna in the shallow sigmoid notch of the radius provides a delicate balance of stability while allowing great mobility. Change in the bony alignment of either the distal radius, from a malaligned fracture, or distal ulna will limit forearm rotation and result in ulnar-side wrist pain.
What is the pathophysiology of ulnar-sided wrist pain?
Ulnar-sided wrist pain is a common symptom of patients presenting for evaluation and treatment. A significant number of these patients have pain due to pathology involving the DRUJ and its ligamentous attachments.