Radioscapholunate arthrodesis with compression screws and local autograft

Abstract

Radioscapholunate arthrodesis is performed for patients who experience pain and disability from radiocarpal arthritis. Initial reports from the 1980s demonstrated high nonunion rates and marginal clinical outcomes. Improvements in surgical technique and clearly defined indications have reduced nonunion rates and improved patient satisfaction. We present a technique using headless compression screws inserted through a dorsal approach, which optimizes hardware placement and incorporates local bone graft harvested from the insertion site to supplement the arthrodesis.