Wrist Arthrodesis with the AO Titanium Wrist Fusion Plate: A Consecutive Series of 42 Cases

Abstract

In a 4 year period (1996–1999), 42 total wrist fusions in 25 men and 17 women were performed using the AO/ASIF Titanium wrist fusion plate. The median age of the patients at the time of surgery was 41 (range, 19–72) years. The indication for fusion was post-traumatic arthritis in 29 wrists, Kienböck’s disease in eight, rheumatoid arthritis in three, mono-arthritis in one and Volkmann’s contracture in one. All patients were reviewed at a median follow-up of 23 (range, 6–50) months. The Buck–Gramcko and Lohmann score for functional evaluation was excellent in 35, good in 5 and satisfactory in 2 patients. We conclude that wrist arthrodesis with the AO/ASIF Titanium wrist fusion plate is an excellent option for treatment of various painful disorders of the wrist.