An experimental study of partial intercarpal arthrodesis.

In this experimental study the authors show that partial intercarpal fusions performed on the first carpal row, and not involving the mediocarpal joint, only very slightly limit the mobility of carpal movements: particularly dorsal flexion and radial deviation. Thirty intercarpal fusions were performed with 15 wrists from embalmed cadavers using staples. The range of motions was measured on roentgenograms before and after stapling. The loss of motion was calculated for each type of "partial intercarpal fusion". We present the results with the average loss of motion in percentage and we discuss the indications of these intercarpal fusions, giving for each one the biomechanical explanation of the effects of these intercarpal fusions.