Long-term outcome following carpal wedge osteotomy in the arthrogrypotic patient

Wrist flexion and ulnar deviation deformity is a common presentation in children with amyoplasia congenita. Multiple surgical procedures have been reported to correct the deformity to enhance functional independence and improve quality of life. We performed a retrospective review to detail our long-term results with carpal wedge osteotomy in these patients.

Medical records of all patients with the amyoplasia form of arthrogryposis who underwent carpal wedge osteotomy between 1994 and 2008 were reviewed. Patients with a follow-up of two years or less were excluded. Preoperative and postoperative resting position and range of motion of the wrist were recorded. Interviews and questionnaires were completed to assess the mean overall satisfaction level of the parent or guardian with the outcome of surgery, function, and task completion with use of parent-guardian surveys, the Manual Ability Classification System, and the ABILHAND-Kids measure of manual ability.

Seventy-five wrists in forty-six patients who met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. The average age of the patients at the time of surgery was 4.3 years (range, nine months to eighteen years; median, 2.7 years). The average duration of follow-up was 5.7 years (range, two to 10.3 years; median, 5.3 years). The average resting position of the wrist postoperatively (11° of flexion) was significantly different from that measured preoperatively (55° of flexion) (p < 0.001). The arc of wrist motion measured preoperatively (32°) did not differ significantly from that measured postoperatively (22°) (p = 0.4903). The location of the motion arc was significantly improved to a more functional position. The average active extension of the wrist changed from -37° of extension preoperatively to -11° of extension postoperatively (p < 0.001). Active wrist flexion also significantly changed from 69° preoperatively to 33° postoperatively (p < 0.001). Parent-guardian surveys indicated that the mean overall satisfaction score after surgery was 9.1 of 10 possible points and that the mean ranking for task completion in activities of daily living was 4 (easier following surgery).

Long-term outcomes reveal that surgical correction of wrist flexion posture in children with amyoplasia congenita results in improvement that is sustained over time. The surveys and questionnaires completed by parents or guardians indicated that they were satisfied with the results of the operation.