Arthroplasty of the wrist

The history of the artificial wrist joint is brief and begins as recently as 1971. The prosthesis is designed as a ball-and-socket joint. The metallic trunnion component is cemented into the radius and the metallic cup component into the carpal and metacarpal II and III bones. There is a central articulating polyethylene ball. The surgical technique itself requires only a few special instruments. The centering of the prosthesis is of utmost importance and requires great care. The fixation stems of the prosthesis can and must be bent and adapted to the skeletal conditions of the individual. The wrist joint prosthesis is indicated for the treatment of severe painful wrist joint destruction--mainly rheumatoid arthritis or degenerative osteoarthritis--in patients not concerned with heavy manual work. Clinical experience over a period of 8 years with 41 wrist arthroplasties has shown that although initially technical errors resulted in a number of re-operations, in almost all cases, however, the final outcome was satisfactory. When necessary, a change of prosthesis or a subsequent arthrodesis of the wrist was always possible.