Distal radius malunion: outcomes following an ulnar shortening osteotomy

PURPOSE: Positive ulnar variance following a distal radius malunion can lead to ulnar-sided wrist pain, loss of grip strength, and distal radioulnar joint impingement. The primary aim of this study is to describe upper limb-specific functional outcomes following ulnar shortening osteotomy (USO) for ulnar-sided wrist pain associated with malunion of the distal radius. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 40 adult patients from a single centre over a 9-year period that had undergone an USO for symptomatic malunion of the distal radius. The primary outcome was the patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE). Secondary outcomes were the QuickDASH, EQ-5D-5L, complications, and net promoter score (NPS). RESULTS: Outcomes were available for 37 patients (93%). The mean age was 56 years and 25 patients were female (68%). At a mean follow-up of 6 years (range 1–10 years) the median PRWE was 11 (IQR 0–29.5), the median QuickDASH 6.8 (IQR 0–29.5), and the median EQ-5D-5L index was 0.88 (IQR 0.71–1). The NPS was 73. Complications occurred in nine patients (24%) and included non-union (n = 4), early loss of fixation requiring revision surgery (n = 1), superficial wound infection (n = 2), neurological injury (n = 1), and further surgery for symptomatic hardware removal (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with a symptomatic distal radius malunion where the predominant deformity is ulnar positive variance, this study has demonstrated that despite 1 in 4 patients experiencing a complication, USO can result in excellent patient reported outcomes with high levels of satisfaction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III (Cohort Study).