[Chronic, post-traumatic scaphoid-lunate instability treated by scaphoid-lunate arthrodesis]

The authors after a review of certain elements of the physiology and pathophysiology of the scapho-lunate couple, report a series of 10 patients presenting a post-traumatic scapho-lunate instability stabilized by scapho-lunate bone graft in order to obtain scapho-lunate arthrodesis. The bone fusion was obtained 5 times out of 10, 3 times complete and 2 times by an incomplete bony bridge. In 5 cases, bone fusion was not evident, a fibrous non-union probably occurred which maintained the correction. Nevertheless, the overall results were considered good in 9 out of 10 cases with only one poor result. The outcome with a mean follow-up of 4 years did not show any arthritic changes. The authors consider that scapho-lunate stabilization with an interposed bone graft is a good method which can ensure good stabilization and good clinical results.