title: Radiocarpal arthrodesis in the treatment of the rheumatoid wrist. A prospective midterm follow-up.
abstract: This prospective study was performed to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of radiocarpal joint arthrodesis in the treatment of unstable Simmen group III and Larsen grade II or III rheumatoid wrists. Radiolunate arthrodesis was performed in 16 wrists and radioscapholunate arthrodesis in 7 wrists in 20 patients. When they were evaluated at a mean of 5.8 (range 3.5-9.8) years later, flexion was 29 degrees and extension 34 degrees , representing 67% and 92% of the preoperative values, respectively. Patient satisfaction was excellent, or good, for 20 wrists and satisfactory for 1 wrist. In two patients with poor satisfaction, arthritis progressed to the midcarpal joint and necessitated total arthrodesis of the wrist. Radiolunate joint arthrodesis, with inclusion of the scaphoid in the fusion if necessary, is a useful operation in the treatment of this degree of wrist disease as it produces a functional and pain-free wrist at the same time as preserving much of the mobility and bone stock.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Department of Orthopaedics, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland. pirjo.honkanen@fimnet.fi
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Honkanen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mäkelä
authors.forename: Y T
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Konttinen
authors.forename: M U K
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Lehto
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D050824:Carpal Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D012667:Lunate Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D011884:Radius / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012086:Reoperation; D021361:Scaphoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*