How is ulnar impaction syndrome diagnosed?

Radiographs show an ulnar positive variant and, often, cysts in the triquetrum and ulnar one half of the proximal lunate. MRI can be helpful in the diagnosis by revealing signal changes and edema in the ulnar head, triquetrum, and lunate. The treatment is ulnar shortening [48, 49] or a wafer procedure.

What is Ulnocarpal abutment?

Ulnar impaction syndrome, also called ulnocarpal abutment syndrome, is a common cause of ulnar-sided wrist pain. It is a degenerative condition in which the ulnar head abuts the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) and ulnar-sided carpals.

What causes Ulnocarpal abutment syndrome?

Ulnar impaction syndrome, also known as ulnar abutment or ulnocarpal impaction or loading, is a painful degenerative wrist condition caused by the ulnar head impacting upon the ulnar-sided carpus with the injury to the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC).

How is ulnar abutment syndrome treated?

Ulnar abutment syndrome can be treated by a variety of nonsurgical and surgical methods. These range from anti-inflammatory medications, immobilization, and corticosteroid injections to TFCC debridement, ulnar shortening osteotomies, and arthroscopic wafer procedures.

Is ulnar impaction syndrome a disability?

To be eligible for disability because of your ulnar nerve condition, the Social Security Administration (SSA) must conclude that it is so severe that it prevents you from working at the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level for at least twelve months.

Is ulnar shortening painful?

Ulnar Shortening Osteotomy and its Complications Over time this pain can reduce grip strength, causes numbness or pain, and reduce the range of motion of the wrist to nil.

How long does it take to recover from ulnar shortening surgery?

Downtime: With this injury, you are in the long arm splint for 6 weeks and then it is shortened and this is worn for approximately 4 more weeks depending on your healing. You will not be able to use your hand post-surgery for any work or self-care tasks for 6-8 weeks depending on the type of work you are returning to.

Is hand nerve damage a disability?

Is Neuropathy a Disability? Neuropathy can be considered a disability by the SSA. In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits with neuropathy, you need to meet both the work and medical guidelines that are set by the SSA.

Is ulnar shortening worth it?

Ulnar Shortening Osteotomy and its Complications Over time this pain can reduce grip strength, causes numbness or pain, and reduce the range of motion of the wrist to nil. If these complications become severe and conventional treatment options do not help, doctors will typically recommend ulnar shortening surgery.

What is the cause of ulnocarpal abutment syndrome?

Ulnocarpal Abutment Syndrome. Syndrome cause by excessive impact stress between ulna and carpal bones (primarily lunate) positive ulnar variance. Pathoanatomy in a wrist with +2 mm ulnar variance approximately 40% of the load goes to the ulna. 60% to the radius. in a normal neutral wrist approximately 20% of the load goes to the ulna.

What kind of MRI is used for ulnar impingement?

In a patient with an ulnar neutral wrist (A), physical activity that requires pronation or gripping can produce a dynamic ulnar impingement syndrome (B). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be useful when evaluating for UIS in athletes with ulnar-sided wrist pain, but inconclusive radiographs.

What are imaging findings in ulnar-sided wrist impaction syndrome?

Ulnar Impaction Syndrome. In the early stage of ulnar impaction syndrome, the joint cartilage of the ulnar head and ulnar carpus is characterized by fibrillation. Progression of the syndrome results in bone hyperemia, which has low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images.

What is the non-surgical treatment for ulnar impaction syndrome?

Non-Surgical Approach for Treating Ulnar Impaction Syndrome or Ulnar Abutment Syndrome. The early treatment for ulnar impaction syndrome or ulnar abutment syndrome is meant to remove pain, prevent the swelling of the wrist.