Palmar shelf arthroplasty. A follow-up note

Palmar shelf arthroplasty was described by Albright and Chase as a successful, so-called conservative surgical alternative for the treatment of subluxation of a wrist that is affected by advanced rheumatoid arthritis. Subsequent to their report, seven wrists in six patients who had been treated with a palmar shelf arthroplasty by Albright and Chase or by their trainees were studied, after an average follow-up of nine years. All of the patients had long-term relief of pain and improved motion of the wrist, and all were satisfied with the result of the procedure. All but one patient had increased function.