Abstract
Although dynamic increases in ulnar variance may accompany functional activity, radiographic
assessment of ulnar variance traditionally has used a neutral rotation x-ray of the
wrist that provides an image of the radioulnar length with the wrist unloaded. Such
a view may underestimate variance in wrists in which power grip and pronation result
in significant proximal migration of the radius. This study investigates the effect
of a maximum grip effort in combination with forearm pronation on ulnar variance in
22 patients who presented with ulnar wrist pain. The pronated grip x-ray view resulted
in statistically significant increases in ulnar variance. Preoperative ulnar variance
should be measured using both neutral rotation and pronated grip x-rays before selecting
treatment for causes of ulnar wrist pain that are affected by radioulnar length so
that dynamic increases in ulnar variance are considered when operative treatment is
necessary. (J Hand Surg 2000;25A:352–357. Copyright © by the American Society for
Surgery of the Hand.)
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
October 5,
1999
Received:
February 27,
1998
Footnotes
*Reprint requests: Matthew M. Tomaino, MD, 3471 Fifth Ave, Suite 1010, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
**No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
*0363-5023/00/25A02-0010$3.00/0
**J Hand Surg 2000;25A;352–357.
Identification
Copyright
© 2000 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
