Aims Plate and screw fixation has been the standard treatment for painful conditions of the wrist in non-rheumatoid patients in recent decades. We investigated the complications, re-operations, and final outcome in a consecutive series of patients who underwent wrist arthrodesis for non-inflammatory arthritis. Patients and Methods A total of 76 patients, including 53 men and 23 women, with a mean age of 50 years (21 to 79) underwent wrist arthrodesis. Complications and re-operations were recorded. At a mean follow-up of 11 years (2 to 18), 63 patients completed questionnaires, and 57 attended for clinical and radiological assessment. Results Of the 76 patients, 46 (60.5%) had complications, resulting in 65 re-operations, mainly related to the plate and screws. In the 63 patients who completed the questionnaires, the mean Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score was 36 (0 to 91), the mean Patient-Rated Wrist and Hand Evaluation (PRWHE) score was 40 (0 to 96), and 14 patients (22%) reported no wrist pain. Grip strength, pinch strength, and pronation and supination were significantly reduced compared with the contralateral forearm. The outcome was worse in patients who had previously undergone surgery to the wrist, and those with complications. A total of 13 are awaiting further re-operations, giving a total re-operation rate of 63% (40/63). Conclusion We observed complications and re-operations throughout the follow-up period and therefore consider wrist arthrodesis to be more complicated than previously assumed. Many of the patients never got used to or accepted their stiff wrists and reported a substantial reduction in function and residual pain. Motion-sparing surgery should be offered prior to wrist arthrodesis. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:852–859.

Background Multiple carpal fractures or fracture dislocations can be devastating to the wrist. Despite anatomical reduction and ligament reconstruction, reduced function and arthrosis is often observed. Simple fractures without ligament injuries often fare well if anatomy is restored and the fracture heals. Case Description A 17-year-old autistic man presented with pilon-type bilateral fractures of the carpals after crashing his bicycle in a car with clenched fists around his bicycle handlebars. He had a displaced scaphoid, minimal displaced capitate and an undisplaced hamate fracture on the left side and an undisplaced scaphoid and displaced two-part capitate fracture on the right side. The fractures were reduced and stable fixation with screws performed. He was immobilized for 2 weeks and allowed early active motion. At 8 weeks the fractures had healed, and he obtained good function. At final follow-up after 6 months his nearest of kin reported excellent function, he had returned to his preinjury activity level. Range of motion and grip-strength was excellent and symmetrical. Radiographs and CT scans revealed healed fractures in anatomical position, no sign of ligament injuries, carpal instability or arthrosis. Conclusions Multiple carpal fractures are not necessarily prone to reduced wrist function, pain and arthrosis, even in bilateral cases. If the ligaments are intact, stable fixation obtained and early mobilization obtained the fractures reduced and stable fixation obtained excellent hand and wrist function can be obtained.

Background: Wrist arthroplasties have not achieved clinical outcomes comparable to those of shoulders and knees, being offered low-demand patients due to a high failure rate. In the 90s, there were no wrist arthroplasties available for high-demand patients. An experimental setup for the development of a new wrist arthroplasty intended for all wrist patients were done. A long-term final follow-up to evaluate the performance of the experimental arthroplasty was performed. Methods: A novel uncemented modular wrist prosthesis with conical threaded fixation, metal-on-metal coupling and ball-and-socket articulation was developed. In an experimental study, eight patients (7 men, 53 years of age) were operated between 2001 and 2003, to treat non-inflammatory primary or secondary osteoarthritis. Published mid-term results (7–9 years) demonstrated satisfactory function, but two arthroplasties were converted to arthrodesis due to infection. Results: At final follow-up 15–20 years after primary surgery, the remaining six patients still had a wrist arthroplasty (in three the original) in situ. The clinical results were good. Low pain (median = 0), Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QDASH median 11) and Patient Rated Wrist and Hand Evaluation (PRWHE median = 14) scores were reported. Wrist active range of motion (AROM) was 64% and grip strength 86% compared to the opposite side. None regretted choosing arthroplasty knowing the outcome. Conclusions: Despite technical errors and the implementation of an incomplete prototype, this new concept for arthroplasty has demonstrated promising long-term fixation, a stable articulation with good range of motion, satisfactory function and pain reduction in high-demand patients. Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic)