Preliminary results of total wrist arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis using the Trispherical total wrist arthroplasty

Thirty-two patients underwent 38 arthroplasties for advanced rheumatoid arthritis and marked soft tissue losses. Seven wrists required repair or transfer of at least one tendon for rebalancing. All patients were improved by the implants. Thirty-four of the 38 patients were improved beyond the functional level of a painless wrist arthrodesis. Overall, there were 23 excellent, 10 good, 3 fair, and 2 poor results. The average wrist score was 90.3 points, and the average arc of motion was 38 degrees. There were three cases of migration of the third metacarpal stem and nine cases of lucency about the stems, three of which were progressive or greater than 1 mm. There were no deep infections. There was one reoperation for persistent pain and one for component loosening. There were no cases of implant failure. These results indicate that this total wrist arthroplasty is a safe, reproducible procedure for radiographic class III and IV rheumatoid disease and should be considered a first line of therapy for that group.     

Comparison of arthroplasty and arthrodesis for the rheumatoid wrist

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of wrist arthrodesis and arthroplasty in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis using validated outcome patient surveys and a review of surgical complications in 2 matched cohorts. METHODS: Forty-six patients with 51 operated wrists (24 arthrodeses and 27 arthroplasties) were reviewed retrospectively at a follow-up range of 1 to 5 years. Patients completed the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) inventory, the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), and a questionnaire designed specifically for this study. Surgical complications were obtained by chart review. RESULTS: Treatment groups were well matched by patient characteristics and radiographic staging. There were no statistical differences in the survey scores between the 2 groups. Patients in the arthroplasty group, however, reported a trend toward greater ease with personal hygiene and fastening buttons. Complication rates were similar with a 56% complication rate in the arthrodesis group (22% major, 35% minor) and a 52% complication rate in the arthroplasty group (11% major, 41% minor). CONCLUSIONS: The DASH and PRWE may not be designed properly to measure impairment caused by wrist disease in patients with generalized arthritis. The results show that patients with rheumatoid arthritis can and do accommodate to a wrist arthrodesis. It should not be construed, however, that patients with rheumatoid arthritis would not prefer or obtain greater benefit from a wrist arthroplasty [corrected].     

Handgelenkendoprothesen

Traumatic arthrosis, osteoarthrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other lesions in the region of the wrist can lead to severe pain, malposition, instability and malfunction of the wrist joint. Resections of the parts of the joint that have been destroyed, partial fusions and wrist arthrodesis are currently the standard methods of treating these conditions. Different types of total wrist arthroplasty have been developed, with the aim of achieving painfree motion in various conditions. From 1996 to 1998 40 total wrist arthroplasties (APH: Anatomic Physiological Wrist) were implanted, in patients with advanced destruction of the wrist as a result of rheumatoid arthritis. There were no implants that had been in place longer. In all these cases, revision arthrodesis of the wrist joint concerned was necessary. It has not so far proved possible on the basis of either literature reports or the authors' own experience to describe any type of total wrist implant arthroplasty that would justify expecting satisfactory results within a reasonable period of time. Caution and hesitation must therefore be exercised in decisions on whether arthroplasty is indicated.     

Modularphysiologische Handgelenkprothese

Silicone wrist arthroplasty has dominated reconstructive surgery of the rheumatoid wrist for a long time. The declining success rates of Swanson wrist arthroplasty has encouraged the development of new wrist devices. Modular physiological total wrist arthroplasty represents a new wrist prosthesis generation with anatomical reconstruction of carpal height and wrist pivot. This increases the efficiency of wrist and finger tendons. Modular physiological total wrist arthroplasty was developed in 1992 and has been in clinical application since 1993. A total of 46 total wrist arthroplasties in 39 patients were carried out between 1993 and 1999. All patients suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. The mean follow-up period was 4.6 years.The postoperative total wrist score averaged 77.3 points, representing 78% good and excellent scores. Patient satisfaction and pain relief were achieved in 86% of cases. The range of motion at last follow-up averaged 56 degrees of the combined extension and flexion and 27 degrees for combined ulnar and radial deviation were maintained.The radiographic analysis of MPH total wrist arthroplasty demonstrated a secure reconstruction of carpal height and restoration of joint pivot. Failures occurred in seven wrist arthroplasties. Malalignement of the carpal and radial component and soft-tissue dysbalance were the reasons for recurrent dislocation in four cases. Three wrists were fused and one exchange arthroplasty using a constrained revision prosthesis was performed. The remaining three revision cases were caused by one deep infection and two failures of the carpal implant.     

Trispherical total wrist arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis

Thirty-four patients, with 35 trispherical total wrist arthroplasties for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, were evaluated at an average follow-up of 9 years (range, 5 to 11 years). The average preoperative score was 25 points inasmuch as all patients had severe pain and loss of function. The average postoperative score improved to 87 points since 30 wrists were free of pain. Twenty-eight wrists rated as a good-to-excellent result. The average arc of flexion and extension improved from 35 to 50 degrees. There were no deep infections or dislocations. Two wrists required revision, one for loosening and one for persistent pain, both requiring removal of the implant and arthrodesis. Postoperative tendon attrition occurred in six wrists, all of which had preoperative tendon ruptures necessitating tendon transfer. Radiographs showed radiolucencies in seven wrists, including seven around the metacarpal stem and one around the radial stem. The optimum results were achieved in those patients with intact extensor tendons before operation.     

Arthrodesis of the wrist with bioabsorbable fixation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Twenty-four wrist arthrodeses were performed on 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis using a bioabsorbable self-reinforced poly-L-lactide rod as the fixation device. There was one nonunion which required a re-operation and two nonunions which did not need further treatment. The position of the arthrodesis was ulnar deviation and extension in most patients, and there was high patient satisfaction with 21 of the 24 wrists and satisfactory pain relief in 22 of the 24 wrists. This method for fusing the wrist in patients with rheumatoid arthritis appears reliable and simple to perform.     

Wrist arthroplasty with the trispherical total wrist prosthesis

The clinical results and long-term implant survival of wrist arthroplasty with the Trispherical total wrist prosthesis was evaluated in patients with inflammatory arthritis. Using the Hospital for Special Surgery wrist scoring system, the clinical evaluation of 35 Trispherical total wrist arthroplasties showed an excellent result in 20, good result in 8, fair result in 3, poor result in 2, and failed result requiring revision in 2 wrists at an average follow-up of 9 years. Cumulative implant survival in 67 consecutive Trispherical total wrist arthroplasties was 97% at 5 years and 93% at 10 and 12 years postoperatively. Patient satisfaction with wrist arthroplasty using the Trispherical prosthesis was excellent. We attribute the favorable long-term results obtained with the use of this prosthesis to its inherent design that allows for accurate restoration of the center of rotation of the wrist.     

Surgical management of the rheumatoid wrist--fusion or arthroplasty

Forty-eight patients with 33 wrist fusions and 37 silicone wrist arthroplasties were reviewed and compared. Of those who had arthrodesis 97% showed a good or excellent result. Follow-up time averaged 82 months. All patients had a decrease in pain. Most patients had stronger wrists but complained of decreased dexterity. There were no pseudarthroses. The complication rate was 18%. Of patients in the arthroplasty group, 78% had a good or excellent result. Follow-up time averaged 51 months. Most patients in the arthroplasty group had improved dexterity and adequate wrist strength. Average flexion/extension was 32 degrees/29 degrees. The complication rate was 25%, which included four revisions. Of patients who had arthroplasties, 14% had bone resorption about the stem, and 11% of the patients with arthroplasties had x-ray evidence of settling. Factors that did not influence the result of the arthroplasty were patient age, duration of disease before surgery, finger extensor tendon rupture, preoperative motion, and hand dominance. Factors that were associated with failure and/or a fair result in arthroplasty patients were the use of ambulatory aids, the older and narrower prosthetic design, dislocated wrist preoperatively, and the chronic use of steroids.     

Reconstructions of the shoulder following tumour resection

PURPOSE: To review and compare the postoperative outcomes of 3 types of shoulder reconstructions: prosthetic arthroplasty, clavicula pro humero reconstruction, and allograft arthrodesis. METHODS: Records of 25 shoulder reconstructions following tumour resection were retrospectively reviewed. Perioperative data, oncological prognoses, postoperative complications, and functions were assessed. RESULTS: We performed 10 prosthetic arthroplasties, 7 clavicula pro humero procedures, 4 allograft arthrodeses, and 4 soft tissue reconstructions. Eight patients died of their diseases. Three developed complications and underwent revision surgery. 19 patients achieved stable shoulders. Ten patients attended for functional assessments. Respective mean scores using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society-International Symposium on Limb Salvage and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score were: 77% and 82% for prosthetic arthroplasties, 67% and 62% for clavicula pro humero procedures, 83% and 70% for allograft arthrodeses, and 93% and 98% for soft tissue reconstructions. CONCLUSION: A stable construct is the treatment goal for shoulder reconstructions, as it enables effective function of the arm and hand.     

Total wrist replacement using the modified Volz prosthesis

Eighteen total wrist arthroplasties in sixteen patients were done using the modified Volz prosthesis. The length of follow-up ranged from twenty-four to sixty-six months, with a mean of forty months. A 100-point scoring system was used to evaluate the outcome. Muscle imbalance developed in five wrists, the carpal component became loose in three wrists, and two prostheses dislocated. In five patients six arthroplasties (33 per cent) were considered to have failed because one reoperation or more was required for loosening of the components in two wrists, dislocation in two wrists, and muscle imbalance in two wrists. Of the remaining twelve arthroplasties (eleven patients) eight (45 per cent) had an excellent result; two (11 per cent), a good; and two (11 per cent), a poor result. The over-all rate of complications was 44 per cent. Patients who had significant preoperative deformity did poorly postoperatively. The surgeon should be prepared to perform other types of arthroplasty or an arthrodesis if the extensor tendons are structurally inadequate, as this may lead to progressive flexion deformity postoperatively.     

Management of the failed biaxial wrist replacement

Nine cases of failed biaxial wrist replacement underwent revision surgery and subsequent clinical and radiographic assessment at a mean follow-up of 28 months. Clinical assessment included the hospital for special surgery (HSS) and activities of daily living scoring systems. Five patients had a revision biaxial wrist replacement, three had wrist fusions and two underwent an excision arthroplasty. The mean HSS score was 73 for the revision biaxial replacements, 63 for the wrist fusions and 92 for the excision arthroplasties. The mean activities for daily living score was 16 for the revision biaxial replacements, 14 for the wrist fusion and 20 for the excision arthroplasties. Despite the experience of implant failure, six patients would still choose a primary wrist replacement again. All patients in this small series appear to have had good clinical outcomes. Revision to another wrist replacement appears no worse than a wrist fusion in the short term and patients value the preservation of movement that an implant offers.     

Total wrist arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

PURPOSE: After very good midterm results with an uncemented total wrist arthroplasty we evaluated the long-term outcome in a retrospective study. METHODS: Forty uncemented anatomic physiologic (APH, Implant-Service Vertreibs-GmbH, Hamburg, Germany) wrist prosthesis implantations performed in 40 patients were reviewed. The mean follow-up period was 52 months (range, 24-73 mo) and the following parameters were examined: radiographs, grip strength, range of motion, and patient's satisfaction. RESULTS: After a good short-term outcome the results deteriorated with time. The following complications occurred: 2 infections, 3 implant failures, 2 prosthesis migrations, and 33 loosenings/dislocations. All patients (39 of 40) underwent revision surgery, and severe titanium wear in the soft tissues was found intraoperatively in all cases. It became clear that even in a non-weight-bearing joint such as the wrist, titanium alloy may wear and result in tissue metallosis when used as a bearing surface of the implant. As a salvage procedure the prosthesis was removed and an arthrodesis was performed in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the deterioration of the results including an unacceptable revision rate we currently do not consider the anatomic physiologic wrist prosthesis to be a suitable implant in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.     

Prospective study of a new total wrist arthroplasty: short term results

We present early results (average 32 months follow-up, minimum 12 months) of a prospective study of the ReMotion? total wrist arthroplasty in a series of 20 wrists (19 patients) with end-stage arthritic wrists (of whom 13 were rheumatoid). Overall there were no intra-operative complications, dislocations or reoperations. We observed one carpal and one radial loosening--both in rheumatoid patients. Neither was symptomatic enough to warrant reoperation. In the rheumatoid group of 13 wrists there was an average of 41% clinical score improvement. According to the Meuli score there were seven excellent, five good and one poor result. In the non-rheumatoid group of seven wrists there was an average of 27% clinical score improvement. According to the Meuli score there were two excellent, two good, two fair and one poor result. In the short term follow-up of this series, the ReMotion? total wrist arthroplasty provided better results and less devastating complications than the old generation total wrist arthroplasties. Longer follow-up is needed to validate these early results.     

AO-wrist arthrodesis: with and without arthrodesis of the third carpometacarpal joint

The incorporation of the third carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ-3) during wrist arthrodesis is controversial. This retrospective study of 146 consecutive wrist arthrodeses with AO plate fixation specifically addresses this question. In 79 wrist arthrodeses the CMCJ-3 was also arthrodesed, and in 67 the CMCJ-3 was simply bridged. Problems relating specifically to the CMCJ-3 could not be analyzed clearly with the plate in situ. Therefore after plate removal only 81 wrists were evaluated with respect to the CMCJ-3. Of 47 wrists that had CMCJ-3 arthrodesis and plate removal, 20 developed a nonunion. Eleven of these were painful and further surgical treatment was required. In contrast, of 34 wrists with the CMCJ-3 bridged all but one remained free of symptoms after the plate had been removed. We conclude that the CMCJ-3 must not be included in the arthrodesis when performing an AO-wrist arthrodesis.     

Biaxial total wrist arthropla

Arthrodesis is a reliable and predictable method of treating patients with symptomatic radiocarpal joint destructionand should be recommended in most cases. However, some patients are not able to compensate for the lack of wrist mobility associated with wrist fusion because of multiple joint arthroses as are commonly seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. For these patients, total wrist arthroplasty is best described as a higher risk and higher reward procedure. A recent review of 64 cases of total wrist arthroplasty found an 83% implant survival rate at a mean follow-up period of 6.5 years. Clinical results showed excellent patient satisfaction and very good pain relief and range of motion. Of the patients who failed arthroplasty and were eligible for revision total wrist arthroplasty, 80% elected revision arthroplasty over recommended arthrodesis. This report reviews patient selection, technique, postoperative management, management of complications, and expected outcome of biaxial total wrist arthroplasty.     

Results of total elbow arthroplasty as a salvage procedure for failed elbow reconstructive operations

Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) was used as a salvage procedure following failed open reduction and internation fixation, failed triaxial arthroplasties, and septic and aseptic loosening of implant arthroplasty. A minimally constrained bicondylar implant with a block to disarticulation was substituted for the reconstruction of 20 revision TEAs. Custom-designed implant TEA was substituted in cases with substantial bony or soft tissue loss. Revision of the polyethylene-bearing component, coupled with the addition of a yolk-type locking mechanism, was implanted when only the bearing system of a well-fixed implant had failed. TEA can be performed successfully with satisfactory durability as a revision procedure. Revision of failed open reduction internal fixation or a failed bearing system was highly successful. Revision of previously infected elbows in a single-stage procedure was unsuccessful in two of three cases and has been abandoned in favor of a staged procedure. A revision of loose TEA was successful in only three of five cases. Further investigations are necessary to improve the function durability of TEA.     

Change in operative workload for rheumatoid disease of the hand: 1,109 procedures over 13 years

Orthopaedic literature regarding lower limb joints reports a decline in operative management of rheumatoid arthritis since the 1980s. We investigated whether the demand for hand surgery for rheumatoid disease had changed over the last 13 years in our unit. Data for all patients undergoing operative treatment for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand and wrist over a 13-year period were analysed. Between 1996 and 2009, 1,069 patients with rheumatoid disease (182 men, 887 women) underwent a total of 1,109 hand surgery procedures. The operations were synovectomy (430, 39%), arthroplasty (252, 23%), arthrodesis (194, 18%) and tendon surgery (233, 21.0%). Linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant decrease in the number of synovectomies, arthroplasties and arthrodeses between 1996 and 2009, but no decrease in tendon surgery. We explore possible factors responsible for this change in operative workload.     

Intercarpal and radiocarpal resection arthroplasty and arthrodesis

Indications for intercarpal and radiocarpal resectionarthroplasty and fusions are osteoarthritis, KIEHNBOCK'S disease, rheumatoid arthritis and several posttraumatic disorders of the wrist joint. The resection of carpal bones leads to severe instability patterns of the wrist. In conclusion we recommend resection-arthroplasty just for treatment of the thumb carpo-metacarpal osteoarthritis. Implant resection arthroplasty of the lunate and scaphoid or total wrist implants are still causing multiple problems regarding heavy load. Therefore this implants should be confined to rheumatoid patients. Of the limited carpal arthrodeses the scaphotrapezium-trapezoid arthrodeses is the most frequent performed procedure. It can be indicated for STT-osteoarthritis, KIEHNBOCK's disease, scapho-lunate instability and scaphoid pseudarthrosis if other surgical procedures had failed presuming there are no signs of arthrosis in the radiocarpal joint. Persisting pain especially in heavy work is quite frequent after limited arthrodesis but can be greatly relieved by simultaneous wrist denervation. In advanced cases of osteoarthritis total wrist arthrodesis is still the best choice for the patient.     

Long-term results of total condylar knee arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis.

We have reviewed at an average period of ten years the results of 71 consecutive primary arthroplasties with the Insall-Burstein total condylar knee prosthesis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Their mean age at surgery was 52 years (24 to 72). At follow-up the overall results (Hospital for Special Surgery knee rating score) were excellent or good in 77%, fair in 11% and poor in 11%. There was residual pain in only 5% of patients with prostheses in situ; 58% could walk more than 500 m, and the median range of motion was 108 degrees. Eight knees had been revised. Five underwent arthrodesis because of deep infection and three needed revision arthroplasty for mechanical loosening. The crude survival rate of the arthroplasties was 89%. The presence of radiolucency around the tibial component correlated significantly with the severity of residual pain.