Abstract
The clinical results were compared between total wrist fusion and limited wrist fusion in 8 patients involving 5 post-traumatic arthrosis, 1 necrosis of capitate, 1 Volkmann's contracture and 1 replanted forearm. Ages at the time of operation ranged from 16 to 64 years old with an average of 41.3 years old. Follow-up periods ranged from 9 to 144 months and averaged 56 months. In patients with partial wrist fusion, the postoperative ROM of dorsi-palmar flexion or radio-ulnar deviation decreased nearly half of the preoperative ROM. Seven of 8 wists pain disappeared postoperatively, and the remaining 1 scapho-trapezium-trapezoid fusion for scaphid non-union developped painful arthritis followed by total wrist fusion. The overall activity of daily life in partial wrist fusion was superior than in total wrist fusion.
Partial wrist fusion would maintain the functional ROM of the wrist joint, while total wrist fusion would solve the intractable wrist pain with successful correction of the wrist deformity.
