title: Wrist joint arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis: a comparison between the Meuli and Swanson prostheses.
abstract: A personal series of twelve wrist arthroplasties performed on ten patients with rheumatoid arthritis of the radio-carpal joint were reviewed in retrospect. Six arthroplasties were of the Meuli metal/plastic/metal design and six were of the Swanson silastic type with an additional silastic ulnar head prosthesis. Both prostheses were successful in giving a pain free stable joint with some degree of useful movement. The Meuli appeared to give a greater range of movement than the more constrained Swanson prosthesis. Although complications were encountered it is concluded that wrist arthroplasty does have a place in the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis of the radio-carpal joint. Our present policy is to continue with the use of the Swanson design because of the advantages of a cement free prosthesis.
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000601:surgery*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008670:Metals; D010969:Plastics; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D014955:Wrist Joint
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D010969:Plastics; D012826:Silicone Elastomers