Limited wrist arthrodesis.

Limited wrist arthrodesis is the surgical fusion of selected bones of the wrist. In each case the extent of the fusion is determined by the extent of the disease process. Limited wrist arthrodesis is an alternative to complete wrist fusion when there is a localized area of degenerative change or instability in the carpus. It relieves pain yet still allows a good range of motion. Since 1968, 36 patients have had 38 limited wrist arthrodeses. Twenty-four cases have involved carpal bones only. Fourteen of these were "triskaphe" arthrodeses: scaphoid-trapezium-trapezoid arthrodeses. Eleven cases have included the radius, and 3 have included the index metacarpal.