Comparison between proximal row carpectomy and four-corner fusion for treating osteoarthrosis following carpal trauma: a prospective randomized study

OBJECTIVE: To compare the functional results of carpectomy and four-corner fusion surgical procedures for treating osteoarthrosis following carpal trauma. METHODS: In this prospective randomized study, 20 patients underwent proximal row carpectomy or four-corner fusion to treat wrist arthritis and their functional results were compared. The midcarpal joint was free of lesions in all patients. RESULTS: Both proximal row carpectomy and four-corner fusion reduced the pain. All patients had a decreased range of motion after surgery. The differences between groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Functional results of the two procedures were similar as both reduced pain in patients with scapholunate advanced collapse/scaphoid non-union advanced collapse (SLAC/SNAC) wrist without degenerative changes in the midcarpal joint