Denervation of the wrist joint--an alternative in conditions of chronic pain.

Nine patients with chronic pain in the wrist secondary to lunatomalacia and non-union of the scaphoid bone were treated by denervation of the wrist joint. This operation was first presented by Wilhelm in 1966. We have been using a modified technique. The purpose of the operation is to achieve relief of pain by selective neurotomy without impairment of hand function and with preservation of wrist mobility. Eight patients were considerably improved; one was not helped at all. No appreciable progression of the pathological changes have occurred radiographically during the period of follow-up. We find our results encouraging and the method worth trying.