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Updated: Mar 3 2023

Ulnar Variance

4.3

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Images
https://upload.orthobullets.com/topic/6046/images/Negative ulnar variance_moved.jpg
https://upload.orthobullets.com/topic/6046/images/neutral.jpg
https://upload.orthobullets.com/topic/6046/images/positive.jpg
https://upload.orthobullets.com/topic/6046/images/negative.jpg
  • Summary
    • Ulnar Variance is the length of the ulna compared to the length of the radius at the wrist.
    • Diagnosis is made radiographically with PA wrist radiographs. Positive ulnar variance indicates a longer ulna compared to the radius and a negative ulnar variance indicates a shorter ulna. 
    • Treatment depends on severity of symptoms and underlying condition.
  • Epidemiology
    • Demographic
      • male:female relationship
        • UV is lower in males than females
      • age bracket
        • UV increases with age
    • Risk factors
      • positive UV may be present in child gymnasts
        • distal radial growth plate injury leading to premature closure of distal radial physis
  • Etiology
    • Pathophysiology
      • congenital
        • Madelung deformity (positive UV)
        • reverse Madelung deformity (negative UV)
      • trauma/mechanical
        • distal radius/ulnar fracture with shortening
        • growth arrest (previous Salter-Harris fracture)
        • DRUJ injuries (Galeazzi and Essex-Lopresti)
      • iatrogenic
        • joint leveling procedures (radial or ulnar shortening/lengthening)
        • radial head resection (positive UV)
    • Associated conditions
      • positive ulnar variance
        • ulnar abutment syndrome
        • SLD
        • TFCC tears
        • arthrosis
          • ulnar head
          • lunate
          • triquetrum
        • lunotriquetral ligament tears
      • negative ulnar variance
        • Kienbock's disease
        • ulnar impingement syndrome
          • ulna impinges on the radius proximal to the sigmoid notch
  • Classification
      • Ulnar Variance
      • Ulnar Variance
      • Length Difference 
        (ulnar - radial length)
      • Load Passing Through Radius
      • Load Passing Through Ulna
      • Positive
      • +2mm
      • 60%
      • 40%
      • Positive
      • +1mm
      • 70%
      • 30%
      • Neutral
      • 0 (< 1mm)
      • 80%
      • 20%
      • Negative
      • -1mm
      • 90%
      • 10%
      • -2mm
      • 95%
      • 5%
  • Anatomy
    • Neutral ulnar variance (ulnar zero)
      • difference between ulnar and radial length is <1mm
    • Positive ulnar variance
      • ulnar sided wrist pain from increased impact stress on the lunate and triquetrum
      • UV becomes more positive in pronation
      • UV becomes more positive during grip
    • Negative ulnar variance
      • UV decreases in supination
  • Imaging
    • Radiographs
      • recommended view
        • PA of the wrist with shoulder abducted 90 deg, elbow flexed 90 deg, neutral forearm rotation
    • Method to determine ulnar variance
      • draw 2 lines
        • 1 line tangential to the articular surface of the ulna and perpendicular to its shaft
        • 1 line tangential to the lunate fossa of the radius and perpendicular to its shaft.
      • measure the distance between these 2 lines (normal is 0mm)
      • if the ulnar tangent is distal to the radial tangent = positive UV
      • if the ulnar tangent is proximal to the radial tangent = negative UV
    • MRI
      • can estimate but not quantify degree of UV
      • because specific wrist position cannot be duplicated in MRI
  • Treatment
    • Depends on specific condition
      • ulnar abutment syndrome
      • TFCC tears
      • Kienbock's disease
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