Twenty Years of Experience withSwanson Total Wrist Arthroplasties:Long Term Results in a Series of 128 Patients

摘要

The experience with radiocarpal joint reconstruction in rhumatoid arthritis using silastic implants and titanium grommets is reported. 152 implants were placed in 128 patients from 1986 to 2006. For a long term results evaluation 55 implants in 45 patients with a follow-up from 20 to 10 years were examined. After a brief review of the crucial points of the procedure, including indications and surgical technique, the results were examined using a protocol derived from the one proposed in 1988 by Yves Allieu for an international multicenter study. Best results were obtained in cases with a preop Larsen stage 2 and 3, the worst in stage 5. In 41 cases we observed implant survival and excellent to fair functional results, in 10 cases implant breaking.The procedure, when correct indications are selected and correct surgical steps are performed, in our opinion allows predicatble and durable results with a satisfying recovery of wrist function, and should still to be considered an excellent answer to the needs of the rhumatoid patients.