Four-corner fusion versus proximal row carpectomy : a retrospective review with a minimal follow-up of 9 years.

A retrospective survey on the long-term outcomes of both proximal row carpectomy (PRC) and scaphoidectomy with 4-corner arthrodesis (4CA) was conducted. Seventeen PRC and nine 4CA wrists were retrieved with a minimal follow-up of 9 years. Pain, satisfaction and disability were not significantly different. There was a better flexion and ulnar deviation in the PRC wrists. Conclusion : at long term, the outcome for PRC remains stable despite some series recently reported worsening of the results due to progressive degenerative arthritis. PRC seems to yield comparable clinical results compared to 4CA but a slightly better range of motion than 4CA.