Pancarpal and partial carpal arthrodesis.

Arthrodesis can be an effective procedure to restore acceptable function and alleviate pain when other medical or surgical treatments are not possible. A thorough knowledge of carpal anatomy and strict adherence to the principles of arthrodesis are essential to success. The most important factor in determining whether a partial carpal arthrodesis can be performed is the stability of the antebrachiocarpal joint. Multiple techniques, including plating, pinning, and external skeletal fixation, have proven successful, and this article discusses these techniques and the complications of each.