Negative Ulnar Variance is fore shortening of the distal ulnar relative to the radius. It may be asymptomatic but can be symptomatic if there is impingement of the ulnar against the radius called Ulnar Impingement Syndrome. It also has an association with Keinbock’s disease. This post is a review of the findings of Negative Ulnar Variance and Ulnar Impingement on MRI.

Image Above: Assessment of Ulnar Variance. This is related to the distal ulnar and not the ulnar styloid.

Image Above: Level of ulna can vary depending on wrist position. On MRI dont call subtle variation.

Image Above: Negative ulnar variation with fore shortening of the ulnar but no evidence of ulnar impingement ( normal signal ulnar and radius).

Image Above: Negative ulnar variation with fore shortening of the ulnar  ( red arrow) and evidence of ulnar impingement ( blue arrow) with subcortical cystic changes in ulnar.