Wrist arthrodesis combined with a bulk bone allograft for implant loosening after total wrist arthroplasty: A case report

Total wrist arthroplasty (TWA) is a challenging procedure for wrist joints severely destroyed by rheumatoid arthritis. The most common postoperative complication of TWAs is the loosening of the carpal component. Revision surgeries for failed TWAs can be complicated owing to severe bone loss and concomitant soft-tissue problems. Here, we report a case (68-year-old woman with a history of rheumatoid arthritis for 24 years) of severe aseptic loosening of semi-constrained TWA and its salvage surgery. During the primary arthroplasty procedure, severe instability at the second through fifth carpometacarpal joints was observed and arthrodesis of these joints was required. The radiographs obtained 9 months after surgery showed loosening of the carpal component. Subsequently, she suffered a stroke, resulting in a loss of follow-up, and higher stress was loaded on her upper extremities during standing and walking. In the radiograph taken at her revisit 25 months after the primary surgery, the subsidence of the carpal component progressed and loosening of the radial component was observed. Total wrist arthrodesis was performed using a bulk bone allograft of the femoral head, combined with a penetrating Wrist Fusion Rod(& REG;). Rapid bone union was achieved without soft-tissue irritation. We conclude that wrist arthrodesis with a bulk bone allograft combined with an intramedullary nail is a reasonable option for failed total wrist arthroplasty.