Reconstruction of the Rheumatoid Wrist: Fibrous Nonunion Arthroplasty

The most common surgical procedures described in the literature for rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist require a compromise between range of motion and stability. Total wrist arthrodeses, while providing pain control and stability, restrict range of motion. Implant arthroplasties, while granting range of motion, have not been proven to be durable. Fibrous non-union arthroplasties, on the other hand, can treat pain while preserving range of motion. This procedure should be considered a viable option for treating wrists with advanced destruction from rheumatoid arthritis.