The surgery of the rheumatoid wrist: postoperative appearances and complications of the more common procedures.

There is considerable orthopedic interest in the surgical management of rheumatoid arthritis involving the wrist. Surgery is being used more frequently in treating this condition, and many surgical options are available. The biomechanical basis, indications, postoperative appearances, and complications of these many operations should be known to the radiologist involved in preoperative care and postoperative follow-up. Some of the more frequent procedures are presented, and the complications are discussed.