Complications of scaphoid silicone arthroplasty

Between 1971 and 1982, thirty-three patients underwent scaphoid silicone arthroplasty, and twenty-three of them were available for review after an average of three years of follow-up. Radiographically, there was evidence of carpal collapse with a progressive decrease in carpal height and a progressive increase in the scapholunate angle in thirteen wrists. Subluxation of the spacer occurred in thirteen patients, and nine of them also had dislocation of the trapezial stem. Clinically, grip strength did not improve and wrist motion increased only slightly. There were complaints of pain associated with subluxation of the spacer in more than half of the patients. Ten patients, eight of whom had a subluxated spacer, underwent thirteen secondary surgical procedures.