Ulnar-Sided Wrist Pain due to Long Ulnar Styloid: A Case Report

Abstract

Ulnar styloid impaction syndrome involves repetitive friction between an excessively long ulnar styloid and the carpus, resulting in chondromalacia, synovitis, and pain. The arthroscopic diagnosis, evaluation, and management of this syndrome are not well characterized. We present a patient with chronic wrist pain of unknown origin, culminating with arthroscopic findings demonstrating substantial loss of articular cartilage on both the lunate and triquetrum. The patient successfully underwent operative ulnar styloid excision, ultimately resolving chronic wrist pain symptomology.

Keywords

long ulnar styloid - ulnar styloid impaction - ulnocarpal abutment - chronic wrist pain - wrist arthroscopy

Note

The authors have no financial disclosures related to this article. This study was conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts.

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