[Shortening arthrodesis of three wrist bones]

In advanced cases of wrist osteoarthritis with lesions of the radio-scaphoid and mediocarpal joints, and when a proximal row carpectomy is not possible because of lesions of the head of the capitate, we suggest a new technique: The hamate-capitate-lunate shortening arthrodesis with a scaphoid-triquetral resection. The good results observed with proximal row carpectomies, and particularly their long-term reliability, have encouraged us on this new path. Effectively, this operation takes the concept of proximal row carpectomy one step further by reconstructing the head of the capitate with the lunate whose proximal articular surface is often not deteriorated even in very advanced cases of radio and mediocarpal osteoarthritis. The two theoretical concepts of this operation are the shortening of the carpus and respect of the physiological congruence of the radio-lunate joint, the goal being obtain similar results those with proximal row carpectomy, particularly concerning mobility. We present our first two cases with this technique. This new procedure is an alternative to the four bone arthrodesis, particularly in SLAC wrist sequellae when they have evolved to the stage of radio and mediocarpal osteoarthritis.