Proximal row carpectomy for chronic unreduced perilunate dislocations.

We evaluated the results of proximal row carpectomy (PRC) for unreduced perilunate dislocation in 6 patients. The average period from the injury to the operation was 24 weeks. The modified Mayo wrist score was used for clinical evaluation. Radiological evaluation was based on the radius-capitate alignment. Pain disappeared in 4 cases; mild pain during activity persisted in 2 cases. The average flexion-extension are was 59% of the values on the unaffected side. The average grip strength was 72% of the unaffected side, and the average modified Mayo wrist score was 71 points. Three patients showed favourable radius-capitate alignment, while the other 3 patients showed poor radius-capitate alignment on the radiographs. The postoperative radius-capitate alignment was related to the preoperative position of the capitate on the lateral view. Those with poor radius-capitate alignment tended to obtain lower scores compared to those with favourable alignment.