Ulno carpal abutments : the state of the art and the place of arthroscopy

Ulno carpal abutments secondary to the sequels of a fracture of theradius are often due to the inversion of the distal radio ulnar indexby relative shortening of the radius. This positive ulnar varianceeventually leads to an abutment between the head of the ulnar andthe proximal articular face of the lunate with alteration of the cartilaginouscarpal surfaces. The choice of therapy is based on a specificevaluation of this joint in a clinical and para clinical analysis andthe recent contribution of wrist arthroscopy makes diagnosis andtreatment possible in a less invasive way.