Arthrodesis of the Carpal Bones in the Treatment of Kienböckʼs Disease, Painful Ununited Fractures of the Navicular and Lunate Bones with Avascular Necrosis, and Old Fracture-Dislocations of Carpal Bones

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Abstract
A technique of partial intercarpal fusion used in the treatment of Kienböck's disease and paintul non-union of fractures of the carpal navicular bone with avascular necrosis is described. The results are presented for twenty-seven patients followed from one to four years after operation. The advantages of the method are that the wrist need be immobilized for only two months and the patient can resume normal activity three to four months after operation. Although motion of the wrist after operation was limited in all patients, pain was relieved in all but two instances, and a strong grip was restored in all but on patient. During the time covered by this study, only four patients showed roentgenographic evidence of arthrosis of the radiocarpal joint after intercarpal fusion.