Promising clinical results of the universal total wrist prosthesis in rheumatoid arthritis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of the Universal Total Wrist prosthesis. Seventeen wrist arthroplasties were performed in 15 patients using the Universal Total Wrist prosthesis. The 11 women and 4 men in the study group ranged in age from 45 to 86 years. Fourteen patients had rheumatoid arthritis and one had osteoarthritis. Follow up ranged from 20 to 74 months. Patients were evaluated for range of motion, with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) survey and radiographically. All range of motion values improved after surgery. Average postoperative motion was 29 degrees dorsiflexion, 38 degrees volar flexion, 7 degrees radial deviation and 17 degrees ulnar deviation. The DASH scores improved with 29 %. Pain score improved in all 15 patients. One prosthesis had to be removed due to component loosening of the carpal plate. The other cases showed no radiographic signs of loosening. One patient had an early prosthetic dislocation and was treated conservatively with success.The Universal Total Wrist prosthesis provides a promising outcome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.