Wide excision of the distal ulna: biomechanical testing of a salvage procedure.

Purpose: To study changes in the relationship of the distal radius and ulna after progressive resection of the distal ulna.

Method: Six-degree-of-freedom motion sensors were used to determine relative motion and a displacement transducer was used to determine strain changes in the interosseous membrane (IOM). These were applied in cadaveric specimens loaded to simulate wrist motion and axial compressive forces.

Radiologic evaluation of the ulnar styloid.

The ulnar styloid (US) architecture was examined radiologically and directly by dissection in 13 cadaver wrists to examine a potential relationship between US shape and US abutment syndrome and to determine an optimal radiographic view that could be used to detect US fractures. A higher incidence of US abutment syndrome in the radially deviated US type was observed by dissection. Radiographs taken at varying shoulder abduction angles suggested that the base of the US and ulnar head are not round.