Wrist arthrodesis in paralyzed arms of children.

A new technique for fusion of the wrist in children six years old and older is described. An iliac graft is sandwiched in a coronal split in the radius and carpal bones. Thirty-four children, most of them suffering residual paralysis from poliomyelitis, were treated with this method. It was successful in thirty-two patients, and these children had improved function of the extremity. They were followed to maturity; shortening of the forearm averaged 4.1 centimeters.