Wrist arthrodesis with intercalated iliac crest graft in mutilans rheumatoid arthritis

In mutilans rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with major wrist destruction, wrist arthrodesis is recommended. This type of arthrodesis needs carpal reconstruction and stable fixation. The goal of this study was to assess the functional and anatomical outcomes of an iliac crest graft and internal fixation with two medullary pins. Six wrists in three patients suffering from RA were reviewed clinically and radiologically at an average follow-up of 25 months. We assessed the fusion of the iliac graft with the radius and the metacarpus, the preoperative and postoperative carpal height, and the bone stock in front of the thumb. All the patients had improved functionally. The iliac graft fused with the radius in all cases and fused with the metacarpus in 5 out of 6 cases; the non-union occurred in the wrist where only one pin was used. Restoration of carpal height was associated with improvements in hand function. The bone stock was sufficient to allow implantation of a trapezial cup during a total arthroplasty of the thumb trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint. No major complications occurred. An iliac graft and two pins through the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals were used to reconstruct the carpal height and to obtain wrist fusion. Internal fixation with only one pin is not recommended. Functional improvement can be attributed to the normal tension within the extrinsic flexors and extensors of fingers and thumb being restored because the carpal height was restored. A secondary TMC arthroplasty is theoretically possible.