Total wrist arthrodesis using bowed crossed K-wires

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Bone grafting techniques
• Surgical fixation methods

Background:

• Total wrist arthrodesis is a surgical procedure to fuse the wrist joint.
• Traditional methods may involve complex internal fixation devices.
• Achieving solid bony union is crucial for successful wrist fusion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel technique for total wrist arthrodesis.
• To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of using autogenous iliac crest bone graft with "bowed" crossed Kirschner wires.
• To highlight the advantages of this simplified surgical approach.

Main Methods:

• A surgical technique combining autogenous iliac crest bone graft with "bowed" crossed Kirschner wires was employed.
• The "bowing" of Kirschner wires was designed to create compressive force on the bone graft.
• The procedure was performed on 20 patients, totaling 22 wrists.

Main Results:

• Successful bony union was achieved in all 22 treated wrists.
• The mean time to achieve bony union was 12 weeks (range: 8-14 weeks).
• No major postoperative complications were reported in the patient cohort.

Conclusions:

• The described method of total wrist arthrodesis is simple, versatile, and reliable.
• This technique effectively achieves bony union without the need for specialized internal fixation devices.
• The "bowed" Kirschner wire method provides a compressive force that aids in bone graft incorporation and fusion.