On resection of the proximal carpal row

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Hand Surgery
• Musculoskeletal Research

Background:

• Posttraumatic arthrosis of the carpus can significantly impair wrist function.
• Various carpal injuries, including dislocations and fractures, can lead to chronic wrist arthritis.
• Surgical interventions are often necessary to manage debilitating carpal conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of proximal row carpectomy in treating posttraumatic carpal arthrosis.
• To assess functional outcomes, including wrist motion and grip strength, after the procedure.
• To determine the complication and failure rates associated with proximal row carpectomy in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 31 patients (30 men, 1 woman) aged 19-64 underwent proximal row carpectomy.
• Patients presented with diverse posttraumatic carpal conditions, such as ununited scaphoid fractures and scapholunate dissociations.
• Follow-up ranged from 2 to 12 years, with assessments of wrist function.

Main Results:

• Wrist motion and grip strength were reported as satisfactory among the majority of patients.
• Two cases (failures) ultimately required conversion to wrist arthrodesis.
• The study included a variety of complex carpal injuries leading to arthrosis.

Conclusions:

• Proximal row carpectomy is a viable surgical option for managing posttraumatic carpal arthrosis.
• The procedure generally yields satisfactory functional outcomes for wrist motion and grip strength.
• While effective, a small percentage of cases may necessitate further surgical intervention like wrist arthrodesis.