title: Four-Corner Arthrodesis Versus Proximal Row Carpectomy: A Retrospective Study With a Mean Follow-Up of 17 Years.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the long-term outcomes of proximal row carpectomy (PRC) and 4-corner arthrodesis (FCA) in a consecutive series of patients surgically treated between 1989 and 1998 in a single teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 12 patients (14 wrists) in the PRC group and 8 patients (8 wrists) in the FCA group. Mean follow-up time was 17 years. We compared functional outcome measures (range of motion and grip strength) and patient-reported outcome measures (visual analog score for pain, Mayo Wrist Score, and Michigan Hand Questionnaire). Radiographic evaluation of joint degeneration using the Culp and Jebson scoring system and postoperative complications were assessed for both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Active range of motion was slightly better after PRC. There were no differences in grip strength and patient-reported outcomes between groups. Severity of degenerative changes did not differ between groups and was not correlated with pain scores. The FCA group showed more postoperative complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the objective and patient-reported outcomes of this study, both types of surgery perform well in the long run. Proximal row carpectomy seems to result in slightly better movement of the wrist with fewer surgical complications and no need for hardware removal. Moreover, postoperative immobilization time was much shorter.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic III.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: mjl.berkhout@vumc.nl.
authors.forename: Merel J L
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Berkhout
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Yara
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bachour
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Kang He
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Margriet G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mullender
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Simon D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Strackee
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marco J P F
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ritt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000601:surgery*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Four-corner arthrodesis; long-term results; proximal row carpectomy