Wrist Arthrodesis

A pain free stable wrist is essential for normal function of the hand. Arthritis following trauma, instability and dislocation , crystalline deposition or inflammatory processes can lead to painful unstable wrist. A complete or partial arthrodesis of the wrist aims to provide pain free , stable functional wrist. Many studies have proved that most of the activities of daily living can be performed with a quite restricted range of motion of the wrist.

Wrist is a complex articulation comprising 15 bones ; 2 long bones of forerarm, 8 carpal bones and 5 finger bones. The bones may be fused (arthrodesed) completely or partially. Wrist arthrodesis can be partial or complete.

Commonly performed partial wrist arthrodesis are radio lunate arthrodesis, scapho capitate arthrodesis, radio scapho lunate arthrodesis, scapho lunate arthrodesis, luno triquetral arthrodesis, scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal arthrodesis and four corner fusion.

Total wrist arthrodesis is performed when the wrist is severely damaged by the disease process that significant bone stock has been lost. It is usually accomplished with a specially designed plate and screws. In rheumatoid arthritis patients may have poor bone quality. Intramedullary pin arthrodesis is an established technique for such patients.