Clinical and radiological outcomes of scaphoidectomy and 4-corner fusion in scapholunate advanced collapse at 5 and 10 years.

Summary: This retrospective study examined clinical and radiological outcomes of scaphoidectomy and 4-corner fusion in patients with a scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) at 5 and 10 years.

Purpose: Partial wrist arthrodesis is commonly performed to treat wrist arthritis because it provides pain relief without sacrificing complete wrist motion. The purposes of this retrospective study were to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes after scaphoidectomy and 4-corner fusion after more than 10 years of follow-up and to compare the midterm and long-term results.

Methods: Forty-two patients were enrolled. The following were evaluated annually: pain (visual analog scale); Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score; range of motion; grip strength; and Modified Mayo Wrist score. Bony union and arthritic changes in the radiolunate joint were also evaluated radiologically. Midterm and long-term results were compared.

Results: The mean (SD) follow-up period was 12.2 (1.43) years. Two patients were excluded from the study because of complications, so the final postoperative evaluation included 40 patients. Visual analog scale and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores improved to a satisfactory level by 5 years after surgery and did not differ significantly between 5 and 10 years. Flexion, extension, and radial deviation were reduced after 5 years compared with preoperative measures, and no difference was found between 5 and 10 years. Ulnar deviation, pronation, and supination did not change significantly after surgery. Grip strength was significantly recovered from 29.7 (4.9) kg at 5 years after surgery to 32.1 (8.5) kg at 10 years. The Modified Mayo Wrist score improved significantly to 83.2 (4.1) at 5 years after surgery but did not differ significantly between 5 and 10 years. All cases showed radiological solid fusion, and the mean (SD) period of union was 9.34 (3.7) weeks. Further radiolunate arthritic change was verified in 2 patients, but Modified Mayo Wrist scores were fair. One patient experienced inexplicable pain; therefore, total wrist fusion was performed at 6 years after surgery.

Conclusions: This retrospective cohort study of patients followed up for more than 10 years showed that the midterm and long-term results of 4-corner fusion for stage III SLAC were satisfactory, and arthritic changes in the radiolunate joint were minimal.