A special plate for arthrodesis of the wrist: design considerations and biomechanical testing.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the strength and mode of failure of a plate specifically designed for wrist arthrodesis. An eight-hole plate was constructed with a solid central portion and a distal taper. Four 2.7 mm screws were used in the distal (metacarpal) portion of the plate. Four 3.5 mm screws were used in the proximal (radius) portion. The strength of the wrist arthrodesis plate was compared with that of a conventional 10-hole 3.5 dynamic compression plate by gap testing and a paired cadaver wrist arthrodesis construct. The strength of the wrist arthrodesis plate was similar to the strength of the conventional dynamic compression plate when applied to cadaver wrist arthrodesis constructs. Failure of the wrist arthrodesis constructs occurred through bone without deformation of either plate.