Results of biaxial total wrist arthroplasty with a modified (long) metacarpal stem.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the results of Biaxial (DePuy Orthopedics, Inc., Warsaw, IN) total wrist arthroplasty (TWA) with a long metacarpal stem.


METHODS
A retrospective review of the results of 17 long-stem metacarpal components for the Biaxial TWA implanted between 1993 and 1997 is presented.


RESULTS
After surgery pain and grip strength improved markedly. Overall motion improved but only radial deviation was significantly better. All of the patients were satisfied. At the most recent follow-up evaluation 4 cases showed evidence of radiographic lucency about the cement mantle, but with no gross loosening or settling. No failures at a greater than 6-year average (4-year minimum) follow-up period have been noted. Two cases of intraoperative third metacarpal fracture and one case of dorsal metacarpal component placement were encountered but did not affect the outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
To date the survivorship of the Biaxial TWA with the long stem is favorable compared with previous reports with the standard Biaxial distal component.
Rizzo
Marco
M
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Beckenbaugh
Robert D
RD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001178:Arthroplasty; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*