Arthrodesis of the Wrist Joint: A Follow-up Study of Sixty Cases

Abstract

60 wrist fusions were performed, during the period 1962-68. The indications for operation were pain, contracture or the need of stabilization. The standard technique was ulnar approach, resection of the ulnar head and insertion of a bone graft, in most cases from the iliac crest. In cases of cerebral palsy the radius was shortened and inserted into the carpal bones. With a few exceptions all the patients were relieved of their pain. In the cases of osteoarthiritis 17 patients (out of 22) went back to normal work. Four are not working because of other diseases. In cerebral palsy the improvement is almost only cosmetic. The bone graft from the iliac crest is considered superior to the ulnar graft since the latter resulted in 4 failures (out of 14 grafts) whereas the former (31 grafts) were all successful. In 12 patients there was no carpometacarpal fusion, but as these patients had almost no complaints it seems unnecessary to include the base of the metacarpals in the operation.