Distal ulnar head shortening for treatment of triangular fibrocartilage complex tears with ulna positive variance.

Patients with a tear of the horizontal part of the triangular fibrocartilage complex and ulna plus variance were treated by excision of the distal part of the ulnar head. Three of the seven consecutive patients also had lunotriquetral ligament injuries and had fusions of that joint. Six of the seven patients had either complete relief or marked improvement of symptoms at the distal radioulnar joint. When ulnar shortening is indicated, ulnar head shortening should be considered.