Preliminary results of total wrist arthroplasty using the RWS Prosthesis

Twenty-nine wrist prostheses were implanted and followed-up for a mean of 4 (range, 2-8) years. Twenty-four of these patients had rheumatoid arthritis. Pain and range of motion improved significantly. Sixteen patients were graded as excellent, six as good, two as fair and three as poor according to Meuli's wrist score. There were three frank radiological failures and one revision in this study. Eleven prostheses showed signs of possible loosening without progression or clinical instability. The management of the distal ulna during this procedure and the long-term fixation of the carpal component were problematic.