We report the results of a retrospective review of 47 ulnar shortening osteotomies carried out for ulnar carpal impaction and/or ulnar carpal instability. The average follow-up was 18 months. Wrist function was graded preoperatively and postoperatively using an assessment system modified from Chun and Palmer (1993) . The results show that distal ulnar shortening osteotomy successfully reduces pain and improves wrist function both for ulnar carpal instability (UCI) and ulnar impaction syndrome (UIS) and is equally effective for those patients with combined UIS and UCI. Grip strength and wrist stability were significantly improved and range of wrist and forearm motion was little affected by the procedure. Oblique osteotomies were found to heal faster and to have a lower non-union rate than transverse osteotomies. Although radiographs did show adaptive changes of the distal radioulnar joint in a significant number of patients, there is no evidence (as yet) to suggest that this leads to the development of secondary osteoarthritis.

Thirty-nine patients were retrospectively reviewed after a wrist arthrodesis using a Synthes wrist fusion plate and iliac crest bone graft. Information was obtained from review of patient files, a questionnaire to assess pain, function and work status, and clinical assessment of grip strength, forearm rotation and fingers motion. All wrist fusions united except that the index carpometacarpal joint failed to unite in one patient. Thirty-seven patients were satisfied with the procedure, noting a reduction in wrist pain after fusion, but all reported some limitation of function. The wrist fusion plate was removed in six patients and a further four patients experienced minor symptoms over the dorsal aspect of the middle finger metacarpal.

Provocative wrist tests of SL ligament injuries and midcarpal ligament injuries are mildly useful for diagnosing wrist injuries. MRI diagnostic findings of SL ligament injuries, lunate cartilage damage, and TFCC are mildly to moderately useful. MRI slightly improves the diagnosis of TFCC injury and lunate cartilage damage compared to provocative tests alone.

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