Total wrist fusion versus total wrist prosthesis: a comparative study

Abstract

We present a comparative study of 41 total wrist fusions (TWFs) with contoured plate and 22 total wrist prostheses using the Universal 2™ model, with a mean follow-up of 6 years for the fusion and 6.5 years for the prosthesis. We evaluated grip strength, pain according to the visual analogue scale, functional results using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand and the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation, degree of satisfaction and complications, with no significant differences being observed in any of these variables. The results allow us to conclude that total wrist prosthesis implanted in patients with low or moderate functional demands offers medium-term functional results similar to TWF without increasing the number of complications.

Level of evidence: III

Keywords:

• Total wrist fusion
• total wrist prosthesis
• post-traumatic arthritis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• Kienböck’s disease

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).