Limited wrist fusions have become a well-accepted surgical procedure for patients with localized arthritis of the wrist. The overriding principle is that the arthritic painful components of the joint are fused, allowing the wrist to mobilize via the intact component of the joint.Initial results and their complications raised concerns about the high incidence of nonunion, persistent pain, restricted range of motion, and difficulties performing activities of daily living. 1 However, much of the early limited wrist fusions involved scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT) joint fusion, lunotriquetral fusion, or scapholunate fusion. 2 It was commonly stated that limited wrist fusion was a staged total wrist fusion. However, with appropriate indications and using sound surgical principles, good long-term outcomes can be obtained. 3
Etiology of Arthritis• Genetic factors • Anatomical predisposition (skeletal morphology, e.g., lunate type; developmental deformity, e.g., Madelung) • Generalized disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, crystal deposition disease) • Trauma (acute and chronic)• Localized disease such as avascular necrosis (AVN) (Kienböck and Preiser disease)In the normal wrist, the proximal carpal row is the intercalated segment between the radius and the distal carpal row. The obliquity of the STT joint causes an obligatory flexion of the scaphoid. The obliquity of the hamate triquetral joint
AbstractLimited wrist fusions are effective surgical procedures for providing pain relief while preserving motion of the wrist in patients with localized arthritis of the carpus. In deciding which motion preserving procedure to perform, the etiology of the arthritis, which joints are involved, and which are spared should be determined. The main principle is to fuse the involved joints and to allow motion through the uninvolved joints.In this article, we discuss the various traumatic and nontraumatic conditions causing arthritis of the wrist and the treatment options for those conditions. Common indications for limited wrist fusions include scapholunate advanced collapse and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse. Options for treating these conditions include three-and four-corner fusions as well as a proximal row carpectomy. This paper discusses which procedures are the most appropriate as well as the outcomes of these procedures. If the basic principles of limited wrist fusions are adhered to, a good outcome can be obtained. The authors' surgical technique and decision-making processes are discussed.