title: Intercarpal arthrodesis by dowel bone grafting.
abstract: Successful intercarpal arthrodesis requires a stable fusion with maintenance of correct alignment and spatial relationship of the carpus. The technique described utilizes a series of tube saws to fashion the arthrodesis bed and then insert a sized iliac crest dowel bone graft with a tight interference fit. This technique has been used in 24 patients over a two-year period in both medial and lateral column intercarpal fusions. All wrists had fused by the tenth post-operative month. The technique is precise, reproducible and technically simple with a high fusion rate and minimal donor site morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma, Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sandow
authors.forename: Y L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Wai
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hayes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D001864:Bone Wires; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*