[The rheumatoid wrist. Pathobiomechanics and therapy]

A stable and pain-free wrist is a prerequisite for normal hand function. Since the wrist joint is involved early in rheumatoid disease and progress is rapid, operative treatment is of major importance. It is indicated not only for treatment of established osseous changes with instability, deformation, and extensor tendon ruptures but for early treatment of drug-resistant synovitis and monarthritis of the wrist.A considerable number of operative procedures is available: arthroscopic or open synovectomy of the radio- and midcarpal as well as the distal radioulnar joint, possibly with resection of the ulna head, partial arthrodeses, complete arthrodeses,and arthroplasty. When choosing the procedure, type and stage of wrist changes as well as the pathobiomechanic situation have to be considered. The individual course of the disease and patient requirements have to be taken into account.Thus, for long periods of time a pain-free stable wrist can be preserved, albeit sometimes with only limited but functional mobility.