The Use of a Resurfacing Capitate Pyrocarbon Implant in Conjunction with a Proximal Row Carpectomy: A Systematic...

Degenerative wrist disease may have varying etiologies, but solutions to deal with this debilitating condition center around several common management pathways. Once nonoperative measures have been exhausted, generally there is a choice between motion sparing procedures or a total wrist arthrodesis. The appropriateness of motion sparing procedures will be dictated by the extent and pattern of degeneration, and midcarpal arthrosis is typically a contraindication to a proximal row carpectomy. One solution to this problem is to employ a Resurfacing Capitate Pyrocarbon Implant. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and effectiveness of this operation by systematically reviewing the literature. The findings of this review support the use of this implant in the setting of degenerative wrist disease, with reported outcomes comparable to similar operations. However, this is based on overall low numbers of reported outcomes with a reasonable chance of bias. Level of Evidence  Level III.