Salvage procedures for degenerative osteoarthritis of the wrist due to advanced carpal collapse

Arthrodesis of the wrist has been considered as the gold standard for osteoarthritis of the wrist. In 1984 Watson and Ballet identified a specific pattern of carpal collapse (scapholunate advanced collapse = SLAC) with progressive osteoarthritis. In order to preserve some motion, other alternative procedures have been proposed: proximal row carpectomy (PRC) and scaphoidectomy combined with a four-corner arthrodesis (4CA). In this cohort of 63 patients, three types of surgical treatment were performed (arthrodesis in 19, PRC in 26 and scaphoidectomy with 4CA in 18). The DASH questionnaire was used to evaluate the residual disability. PRC had a significantly better outcome (DASH=16), while there were no significant differences between full arthrodesis (DASH=45) and four corner arthrodesis (DASH=39). In PRC and in four corner arthrodesis a functional range of motion could be preserved (resepectively 44 degrees and 52 degrees flexion/extension arc). Gripping force remained inferior to the non operated side. There was a significant increase in gripping force in the PRC group, but not in the others. The final gripping force was not significantly different in the three treatment regimes.