0
Scientific Articles   |    
Five to Ten-Year Outcomes of the Universal Total Wrist Arthroplasty in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Christina M. Ward, MD1; Taften Kuhl, BS2; Brian D. Adams, MD2
1 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Regions Hospital, 640 Jackson Street, MS 11503L, St. Paul, MN 55101
2 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, 01023 JPP, Iowa City, IA 52242. E-mail address for B.D. Adams: brian-adams@uiowa.edu
View Disclosures and Other Information
Investigation performed at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Copyright © 2011 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.
J Bone Joint Surg Am, 2011 May 18;93(10):914-919. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.H.01614
5 Recommendations (Recommend) | 3 Comments | Saved by 3 Users Save Case

Abstract

Background: 

Implant arthroplasty of the wrist offers pain relief with preservation of motion to patients with rheumatoid arthritis, although few studies have investigated the long-term results of this procedure. The purpose of the present study is to report the prospective results of total wrist arthroplasty with use of the Universal wrist prosthesis in a consecutive series of patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were managed by a single surgeon.

Methods: 

Twenty-four wrist arthroplasties in twenty patients with rheumatoid arthritis were followed prospectively. Nineteen wrists in fifteen patients were followed clinically and radiographically for a mean of 7.3 years (range, 5.0 to 10.8 years) after the index procedure. Outcome measures included the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, wrist range of motion, and standard radiographic findings.

Results: 

The average DASH score improved from 62 points preoperatively to 40 points at the time of the latest follow-up. The mean wrist flexion and extension at the time of the latest follow-up were 42° and 20°, respectively, for a mean improvement in the total flexion-extension arc of 14°. A total of nine wrists (45%) in eight patients underwent revision surgery because of a loose carpal component at the time of the latest follow-up. One patient underwent wrist arthrodesis because of recurrent wrist instability. Two additional wrists in two patients had radiographic evidence of carpal component subsidence at the time of the latest follow-up. The implant survival rates at five and seven years for the original prosthetic components were 75% and 60%, respectively.

Conclusions: 

The results for the Universal wrist prosthesis at a minimum of five years of follow-up include a high rate of failure, most often because of carpal component loosening, resulting in revision of ten (50%) of twenty wrists at the time of the latest follow-up (with the inclusion of one revision in a patient who died before five years). Patients with a stable prosthesis maintained a functional range of motion and had improvement in patient-reported outcome measures.

Level of Evidence: 

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Figures in this Article
    Sign In to Your Personal ProfileSign In To Access Full Content
    Not a Subscriber?
    Get online access for 30 days for $35
    New to JBJS?
    Sign up for a full subscription to both the print and online editions
    Register for a FREE limited account to get full access to all CME activities, to comment on public articles, or to sign up for alerts.
    Register for a FREE limited account to get full access to all CME activities
    Have a subscription to the print edition?
    Current subscribers to The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery in either the print or quarterly DVD formats receive free online access to JBJS.org.
    Forgot your password?
    Enter your username and email address. We'll send you a reminder to the email address on record.

     
    Forgot your username or need assistance? Please contact customer service at subs@jbjs.org. If your access is provided
    by your institution, please contact you librarian or administrator for username and password information. Institutional
    administrators, to reset your institution's master username or password, please contact subs@jbjs.org

    References

    Accreditation Statement
    These activities have been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
    CME Activities Associated with This Article
    Submit a Comment
    Please read the other comments before you post yours. Contributors must reveal any conflict of interest.
    Comments are moderated and will appear on the site at the discretion of JBJS editorial staff.

    * = Required Field
    (if multiple authors, separate names by comma)
    Example: John Doe




    The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
    JBJS Case Connector
    Related Content
    Related Audio and Videos
    PubMed Articles
    Clinical Trials
    Readers of This Also Read...
    jbjs jobs
    05/01/2013
    PA - Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
    03/26/2013
    TX - The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
    01/17/2012
    OH - University Hospitals Case Medical Center
    03/05/2013
    ME - MaineGeneral Medical Center