Proximal row carpectomy: review of rheumatoid and nonrheumatoid wrists

Proximal row carpectomy was first done in 1939 and was indicated for treatment of posttraumatic problems or Kienböck's disease. Use of this procedure in patients with rheumatoid arthritis has not been reported. Our series consists of eighteen wrists, nine with rheumatoid arthritis, and nine with other various nonrheumatoid conditions. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 120 months and included x-ray films and assessment of pain, range of motion, balance, grip strength, and patient satisfaction. Our results showed only two of the eight rheumatoid wrists to be satisfactory; failure was caused by pain and imbalance. Of the nonrheumatoid wrists, six of the eight were satisfactory, although in one of the six sclerosis is developing between the capitate and radius. Proximal row carpectomy is not recommended for the rheumatoid wrist but may be useful where other pathologic conditions are involved if the remaining articular surfaces are uninvolved.