Proximal-row carpectomy for diseases of the proximal row

Twelve patients were studied following proximal-row carpectomy. Four had a follow-up of twenty years or more. The lesions for which the operation was done included Kienböck's disease, perilunar dislocations, and fractures of the carpal scaphoid. The major complaint of pain was relieved following surgery, and a functional range of motion was obtained. Mild degenerative arthritis of the wrist was not a contraindication and progressive degenerative arthritis of the radial capitate articulation did not occur. The operation did not result in weakness and all of the patients resumed their preoperative occupations. After conservative measures fail, proximal-row carpectomy rather than arthrodesis should be considered for disorders of the proximal row of carpal bones.