Results of CFV total wrist arthroplasty: review and early report

Articulated total wrist arthroplasties have been used in the United States since 1974. In the 1980s the CFV wrist was developed in an attempt to reduce the incidence of imbalance, loosening, and bone resorption that has been seen in the early implants, and also to eliminate the use of bone cement. Since 1988, we have implanted 15 of these wrists. To date, nine patients are satisfied because of pain relief and motion; however, there have been 6 failures: 2 for infection, 3 because of a loose distal component, and 1 because of balance. Other problems that have been observed are flexor tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and a balancing problem.