Reverse Wafer Technique: Functional Outcomes in Patients with Ulnar Impaction Syndrome
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63403/re.v32i1.373Keywords:
Ulnar Impaction Syndrome, Wrist Arthroscopy, Fibrocartilage, WaferAbstract
Introduction: ulnar impaction syndrome, also known as cubital carpal impaction syndrome, is one of the most common causes of ulnar wrist pain. It consists of a series of degenerative changes of the ulnocarpal joint and its resulting clinical manifestations are secondary to excessive loading of this joint.
Objective: the purpose of this study was to present the functional results of an alternative arthroscopic technique for the treatment of patients with ulnar impaction syndrome, called "Reverse Wafer" and its clinical evolution.
Materials and methods: a retrospective evaluation of twenty-three patients treated with the reverse wafer technique was performed. Postoperative functional outcomes were evaluated using the Spanish version of the Quick DASH questionnaire, the visual analogue pain scale (VAS) and the May wrist test.
Results: patients had a mean age of thirty-six years (range 22-59) with a mean follow-up of nineteen months (range 11-28). A statistically significant improvement of VAS tests was found with a mean of 8 (range 6-10) preoperatively to 2 (range 0-3) postoperatively (p: <0.01). Quick DASH obtaining a mean of 24 (range 13.6-45.5) preoperatively to 7 (range 0-13.6) postoperatively (p: <0.01) and of the May wrist test from 31.96 (range 15-70) preoperatively to 86.52 (range 70-100) postoperatively (p: <0.01).
Conclusions: in this consecutive series of patients, the reverse wafer technique has proven to be a valid option for the treatment of ulnar impaction syndrome in patients with an intact articular disc, or in cases where we found a perforation of the articular disc in association with the traditional wafer technique to achieve up to 8 mm of decompression of the ulnocarpal joint.
Level of evidence: IV
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