Radio-scapho-lunate partial wrist arthrodesis following comminuted fractures of the distal radius.

Painful radiocarpal arthritis following comminuted fractures of the distal radius may be treated either by total wrist fusion or by procedures which preserve movement. The authors have reviewed 15 patients with such fractures who have undergone radio-scapho-lunate partial arthrodesis. They report the results with an average follow-up of 23.8 months. Pain was abolished in 7 patients and resolved virtually completely in 4 cases. Restored grip strength averaged 49% of the contralateral side. There was considerable limitation of postoperative range of motion which was restricted to an oblique plane extending dorso-radial to palmar-ulnar. Most patients did not report this as a problem. Two cases of non-union were reported as well as a 35.7% incidence of secondary degenerative change in the midcarpal joint. This feature casts doubt on the predictability of outcome of this procedure.