Surgery of the wrist in rheumatoid arthritis

One hundred four patients with rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist were evaluated a minimum of 12 months post-operatively (average of 34 months). Seventy patients had 87 arthroplasties and 34 patients had 41 arthrodeses performed on the Arthritis Service of Rancho Los Amigos Hospital (Downey, California), from 1962 to 1975. Seventy-eight per cent of the arthrodeses fused, yet only 69% were painfree. Of the 22% that did not fuse, 67% were pain-free. Carpal and/or intercarpal synovitis recurred in 16% of the fused group and 33% of the nonfused group. Eighty-three per cent of the arthroplasties were pain-free, 91% were stable, and all lost motion which averaged 40 degrees (55%). Spontaneous fusion occurred in 16%). Synovitis recurred in 8.0%.