[The Swanson silicone implant for wrists in rheumatoid arthritis]

The Swanson silastic implant was employed in 16 wrists in 13 patients who were followed up for a median of 59 months. At follow up examination, pain had decreased in ten wrists while three remained unchanged. Ten patients were satisfied with the total result. Only few complications occurred. Prosthetic fracture occurred in two wrists (14%). The authors consider that the Swanson silastic wrists implant can produce favourable results in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with moderate to severe radiological destruction.