title: Complications and results of scapho-trapezio-trapezoid arthrodesis.
abstract: Forty cases of scapho-trapezio-trapezoid (STT) arthrodesis were reviewed. Indications for the procedure included rotatory subluxation of the scaphoid (30 patients) and STT arthrosis (ten patients). Follow-up time averaged 41 months. Ten patients (25%) required 13 additional procedures: operations for nonunion or a fracture of the distal radius after bone harvesting, partial radial styloidectomy, first carpometacarpal joint arthroplasty, and wrist arthrodesis. Complications without surgeries were seen in several cases: pin-tract infection, sympathetic dystrophy, delayed union treated with brace, and radial nerve irritation. Overall, complications were observed in 21 patients (53%), some having more than one complication. Degenerative arthritis at joints surrounding the STT mass was suspected based on roentgenograms in five cases. Twenty-three patients (58%) became pain free or had minimal pain with a limited arc of motion. Twenty of 34 patients (59%) returned to their regular work or the same job, and 27 (68%) reported good to excellent results. Although STT arthrodesis can provide a painless wrist with a limited arc of motion in most patients, complications are frequent.
authors.affiliation: Christine M. Kleinert Institute for Hand and Micro Surgery, Louisville, KY 40202.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ishida
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001174:Arthrodesis; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011542:Pseudarthrosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*