[Indications and results of arthrodesis of the wrist].

Between 1966 and 1980, fusion of the wrist joint was performed on 113 patients. Follow-up was possible on 98 (86,6%). Stable fixation with a plate using a corticocancellous bone graft from the ilium improved the technique. Particularly striking was the reduction of postoperative immobilisation from an average of four months between 1966 and 1972 (before the introduction of the plate) to three weeks between 1973 and 1980. This improvement and the increased incidence of permanent wrist joint damage after injury have broadened the indications for wrist joint fusion. In 57 of the 113 cases (58,2%), good and excellent results were obtained. 92 patients (93,9%) pronounced themselves satisfied with the result compared to the preoperative situation. The one exception was wrist joint fusion in childhood, even though the growing epiphyses of the radius was protected.