The long-term results of Swanson silicone rubber interpositional wrist arthroplasty.

Fifty-three Swanson silicone rubber interpositional wrist arthroplasties were done in 42 patients. A painful rheumatoid wrist was the most common operative indication. Very acceptable clinical results were obtained early in follow-up, with more than 90% of the wrists obtaining significant pain relief. However, in the group of wrists followed for more than 2.5 years, only 61% had good or excellent results. The reoperation rate in this group was 25%. Postoperative complications included prosthetic breakage (9.4%), ulnar cap breakage (71%), and a very high incidence of progressive radiographic deterioration (70%).