2 n

April 1997 with ulnar impaction syndrome and either when they were able to return to unrestricted work, whether a job change was required, and whether theyneutral or negative ulnar variance using zero rotation radiographs (Palmer et al., 1982). Wafer distal ulnar-excision was performed in each as definitive treatment, and the mean follow-up was 25 months (range, 12–38). As previously reported (Tomaino, 1998), the study group consisted of five men and eight women with a mean age of 39.9 years (range, 15–62). The dominant wrist was involved in nine cases, and the mean duration of symptoms before surgical intervention was 11.4 months (range, 2–36). Ulnocarpal pain developed insidiously in seven patients, following a hyperextension injury in four, three of which were work related, and following fracture of the distal radius in two. Ulnar variance was measured to the nearest 0.5 mm using the method of perpendiculars (Steyers and Blair, would undergo the surgery again. The paired t-test was used to assess statistical significance. Surgical technique The operation is carried out under regional, axillary block anaesthesia and tourniquet control. The forearm is pronated and a 4 cm incision centered over the distal ulna is used to expose the extensor retinaculum. The dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve is identified and protected during the dissection of the subcutaneous tissue with specific attention to the transverse radioulnar branch. The extensor retinaculum is divided between the fift