Radio-lunate arthrodesis.

Radio-lunate arthrodesis has been carried out in 15 rheumatoid patients whose radiographs showed localised arthritis around the radio-lunate joint. Six patients had insertion of a Stanley-Shelley plate. The results were assessed from 1 to 3 1/2 years after operation and were excellent in nine wrists, good in three, fair in one and poor in three wrists. Continued carpal degeneration in 12 wrists suggests that long-term follow-up is required before this procedure can be generally recommended.