Successful conversion of wrist prosthesis to arthrodesis in 11 patients

From 2001 to 2015, 11 wrists in 11 patients with osteoarthritis of the wrist had failed wrist arthroplasties, which were subsequently converted to arthrodesis using intercalated corticocancellous autograft from the iliac crest and fixation with an arthrodesis plate or a customized peg. Clinical and radiological bone union was achieved in all the operated wrists. At final follow-up of ten patients after 6years, they had a substantial reduction in pain and improvement in daily function and grip strength compared with those before arthrodesis. We conclude from outcomes of this series that the conversion to arthrodesis after failed wrist arthroplasty is worthwhile and reliably improve wrist function over failed wrist arthroplasty. The results suggest that the patients who will have wrist arthroplasty can be assured that in case of failure the conversion to arthrodesis will produce outcomes comparable with those after primary arthrodesis. Level of evidence: IV