Biaxial wrist replacement. Initial results in the rheumatoid patient

We report a short term review of 26 patients after Biaxial total wrist replacement. The mean follow up was 33.6 months (range, 24-62). All except one patient with psoriatic arthropathy had either seropositive or negative rheumatoid arthritis. A significant improvement in the range of motion was obtained; however, only 14 of 26 achieved a "functional" range. Eighteen obtained an excellent or good result when graded using the Hospital for Special Surgery score. Two radial and three carpal components showed radiolucent lines. Follow-up, however, was too short to determine whether this indicates progressive loosening.