title: Wrist arthrodesis using a wrist fusion plate.
abstract: All wrist arthrodeses done between 1990 and 1996 using a Synthes wrist fusion plate were reviewed. Independent assessment done by a certified hand therapist included a patient survey, standardized Jebsen-Taylor hand function test and activities of daily living test, and a Buck-Gramcko and Lohmann evaluation. We evaluated 13 wrists in 11 patients. Overall satisfaction was 100% of patients (mean follow-up, 31.5 months; range, 13 to 61 months). Mean preoperative and postoperative pain scores improved from 7.2 to 0.8, respectively, and functional scores improved from 5.0 to a postoperative mean value of 7.4. Jebsen-Taylor scores were virtually identical for fused and uninvolved wrists. There were no pseudarthroses, no plate failures, no tendon ruptures, and no significant postoperative infections; there was a single plate removal because of tenuous skin coverage. Short-term results using a comprehensive assessment of a custom plate designed for wrist arthrodesis show promising clinical outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Leversedge
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Seiler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toye-Vego
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Fleming
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000601:surgery*