Ulnar Deviation
Ulnar deviation describes a sideways angling of the fingers toward the little-finger side, often seen in longstanding inflammatory arthritis.
When to get help quickly: The deformity itself is not usually urgent, but quicker review helps when hand function is rapidly worsening, pain is severe, or inflammation is poorly controlled.
Common symptoms
People may notice hand pain, swelling, stiffness, weaker grip, and fingers drifting sideways, especially when inflammatory arthritis has been active for a long time.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps show how much joint damage, deformity, and alignment change are present and whether there are erosions or advanced arthritis changes.
What radiology does
X-rays help show alignment change, joint damage, and how advanced the deformity is.
What usually happens next
Management depends on the underlying arthritis and may include medicines, splinting, hand therapy, or surgery.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.