Rheumatoid wrist reconstruction utilizing a fibrous nonunion and radiocarpal arthrodesis

Rheumatoid arthritic involvement of the wrist severely limits the functional status of the upper extremity. Total wrist arthrodesis, while providing pain relief and reestablishing support, compromises the functional capacity of the hand because of lack of wrist motion. Wrist arthroplasties allow motion, but have not found wide acceptance because of instability and the recurrence of deformity. A technique for establishing an intentional fibrous nonunion between the carpus and the radius was devised 17 years ago. This fibrous hinge gives wrist stability with or without radiocarpal wrist arthrodesis while allowing painless motion at the fibrous radiocarpal hinge and at the less severely involved midcarpal joint. Twenty-three patients have been followed for more than 7 years. All patients whose wrists achieved nonunion had no pain. Twelve of the 19 wrists in which radiocarpal arthrodesis occurred had no pain, and seven had mild pain that did not limit use.