What is an ulnar osteotomy?
Ulnar shortening surgery, also known as an ulnar osteotomy, is a procedure where a section of the ulna bone is cut out to shorten the length of the ulna bone. The ulna bone is one of two bones in the forearm, located on the pinky side.
This procedure is recommended for patients who have ongoing outside wrist pain that is not responsive to less invasive treatments. By shortening the length of the ulna bone, it should reduce the pressure in the risk, therefore reducing the pain. Pain and injury in the outside of the wrist due to a long ulnar bone length is also known as ulnar impaction syndrome.
What should I expect during an ulnar osteotomy?
Your provider may explore less-invasive treatments before deciding to do surgery. These may include:
- Medication
- Activity modification
- Steroid injections
- Physical therapy
If these treatments don’t help to decrease the pain, your provider will likely recommend surgery. During the procedure, the surgeon will remove a thin slice of the ulna bone, pull the two pieces of bone together and fix them together with a plate and screws. This shortens the ulna and reduces the amount of pressure going up the ulnar side of the wrist. This procedure also tightens up the supporting soft tissue structures that can make the joint more stable and comfortable.
What are risks of a ulnar osteotomy?
As with any surgery, an ulnar osteotomy carries certain risks, including:
- Irritation or pain from hardware
- Failure of the bone to heal
- Nerve damage
- Refracture of the ulna
- Additional needed surgeries
You should contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Fever
- Increased pain or swelling
- Excessive drainage or bleeding
- Chest pain, difficulty breathing, or nausea
- Cold, painful, or pale fingers
- Increasing redness around the incision