title: Wrist arthrodesis with excision of the proximal carpal bones using the Ao/ASIF wrist fusion plate and local bone graft.
abstract: We present our series of 17 patients who underwent wrist arthrodesis with excision of the proximal row carpal bones using the AO wrist fusion plate and local bone graft obtained from the excised proximal carpal row. All patients were evaluated using a questionnaire to assess pain, function, ability to perform an occupation and satisfaction with the procedure. The mean follow-up was 17 months, at which time all the fusions had united. Clinical outcome scores showed that 14 and 15 of the 17 patients achieved good or excellent results with regard to their current condition and clinical improvement, respectively. Four patients required secondary surgery, two for fractures and two for instability of the distal radio-ulnar joint unrelated to the wrist fusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Hartigan
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Nagle
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Foley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D001860:Bone Plates; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D010007:Osteochondritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*