Arthrodesis of the Wrist for Rheumatoid Arthritis

In the painful, unstable, and deformed wrist produced by rheumatoid arthritis, arthrodesis of the wrist has proved to be a good method of treatment. A bone graft to join the base of the metacarpals to the radius was used in twenty-seven patients, with good results in twenty-six. There was one painless pseudarthrosis. Bilateral wrist arthrodesis in three patients also proved satisfactory with regard to function.