Surgery with the Motec total wrist replacement: learning from earlier designs

The design of and applications for wrist arthroplasty continue to evolve but lag behind the results for hip and knee arthroplasty with respect to demonstrable durability and effectiveness. As we develop our knowledge, experience and the indications for wrist replacement surgery, it is important that we learn from past design and surgical experience. We report the case of a female patient treated with a Motec cementless metal-on-metal wrist replacement (Swemac Orthopaedics AB, Linköping, Sweden) for post-traumatic arthritis of the radiocarpal joint. Based on our experience with this case and others, we make two specific technical recommendations to improve the success and longevity of this implant.