Cerclage Fusion Technique for 4-Corner Arthrodesis

Abstract

Four-corner arthrodesis is commonly performed for symptomatic scapholunate advanced collapse and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse. Potential complications associated with current techniques include nonunion, hardware issues, and dorsal impingement. A method for achieving 4-corner arthrodesis with strong internal fixation and effective compression while avoiding dorsal and cartilage-bearing surfaces can maximize the benefits of the fusion while minimizing the aforementioned complications. We present a cerclage fusion technique for achieving 4-corner arthrodesis. Proposed benefits of this technique include ease of fixation placement in the coronal plane, inclusion of a large surface area for compression, avoidance of dorsal and cartilage-bearing surfaces, and the ability to adjust sagittal alignment in the midcarpal joint.

Keywords: Four-corner arthrodesis; scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse; scapholunate advanced collapse; wrist arthritis.