Aim: Mannerfelt established his technique of wrist arthrodesis with stabilisation by an intraosseous rushpin as a secure method for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This study was performed to evaluate the mid-term results in a consecutive group of patients.
Methods: Out of a group of 39 operations 24 wrist arthrodeses (61%) in 19 patients have been followed 12-96 months postoperatively (average 44 mths) by clinical testing and radiographic examination. All operations were performed in the original technique. All patients suffered from rheumatoid arthritis in an advanced stage (Larsen III-V).
Results: All but one patient were free of pain. Function and strength of the hand increased significantly in all patients. All patients had additional resection of the ulnar head that led to normal pro-supination of the forearm. 18 patients were very satisfied with the result of the procedure. All but one of the wrists showed complete fusion. In one case there was an intraoperative perforation of the pin through the radial cortex, in another case we saw a fissure of the shaft of the third metacarpal bone. One patient showed a dysesthesia in the third finger.
Conclusion: The results in this group of patients confirmed the advantages of Mannerfelt's technique such as simple operative technique, high fusion rate and low incidence of complications.