Ulnar lengthening and shortening.

Alteration in length of the distal ulna may provide an attractive alternative to more destructive procedures commonly used for the treatment of mechanical and degenerative problems at the distal radioulnar joint. Ulnar recession has shown effectiveness in ulnolunate impingement, triangular fibrocartilage tears, and symptomatic ulnar plus variance. It has also been effective in chondromalacia of the ulnar head in the sigmoid notch and in unstable distal radioulnar joints where recession alters the bearing surface and tightens the ulnocarpal ligamentous complex. Ulnar lengthening has been efficacious in relieving the symptoms of Kienböck's disease by decompressing the involved portion of the lunate and distributing joint compressive force on the triquetrum and medial lunate articular surfaces. It may also be of value in some instances of NDCI associated with an ulnar minus variant.