Radiolunate arthrodesis in the rheumatoid wrist: a retrospective clinical and radiological longterm follow-up.

A retrospective study was performed to investigate the clinical and radiological results of radiolunate arthrodesis in the rheumatoid wrist. Ninety-one wrists in 78 patients were assessed at a mean follow-up of 60 months. Most patients were pain-free and content with the overall result. In 68 wrists the carpus had been repositioned or maintained in neutral or slightly ulnar alignment and no further translation occurred. Midcarpal dislocation occured in ten and midcarpal rotation in 13 wrists. The midcarpal joint underwent further arthritic destruction in 34 wrists and secondary arthrosis in 32 wrists. In 25 wrists the midcarpal joint space remained unchanged. Radiolunate arthrodesis can successfully be performed in wrists even with advanced destruction. In cases with fixed carpal collapse, anatomical repositioning of the lunate and restoration of carpal height should not be attempted as this causes midcarpal dislocation or rotation or precipitates secondary arthrosis. Copyright 2002 The British Society for Surgery of the Hand.