Wrist arthrodesis for failed wrist implant arthroplasty

Thirteen wrist arthrodeses were performed for failed wrist implant arthroplasties between 1984 and 1992. Twelve patients were available for review, with an average follow-up period of 28 months. The original arthroplasties consisted of 8 silicone implants and 4 metal-plastic total wrist implants. The surgical method involved a tricortical iliac bone graft and an intramedullary Steinmann pin. There were 7 excellent results, 4 good results, and 1 poor result. All but 1 patient had markedly improved function with no or mild pain. Seven patients had solid fusions and 5 patients had pseudarthroses. Four pseudarthroses occurred at the graft-metacarpal junction and 1 occurred at the graft-radius junction. Each patient with a solid fusion had an excellent result. All graft-metacarpal pseudarthroses were painless and did not limit the patients' activities. There were 17 complications in 9 patients. Wrist arthrodesis can be a successful salvage procedure for failed wrist implant arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, the complication rate can be high. Owing to the high incidence of distal graft-metacarpal pseudarthrosis, we recommend using more rigid fixation techniques in patients with failed wrist arthroplasties.     

Recurrent Pseudomonas bronchopneumonia and other symptoms as in cystic fibrosis in a child with type I pseudohypoaldosteronism

The in vitro mechanical properties of 14 wrist extensor tendons salvaged at surgery from patients with inflammatory (rheumatoid) arthritis and noninflammatory arthrosis were measured in uniaxial tension and compared. The rheumatoid tendons had higher extensibility at low stresses, lower stiffness in the linear portion of the stress-strain curve, greater rates of stress relaxation, and lower ultimate strengths than did the nonrheumatoid tendons. Differences in tangent modulus, stress remaining at 100 seconds, and ultimate tensile strength were significant at the 95% confidence level. In vivo, mechanically impaired tendons may play an important role in destabilization of the wrist in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.     

Total elbow arthroplasty as primary treatment for distal humeral fractures in elderly patients

We retrospectively reviewed the results of primary total elbow arthroplasty for the treatment of an acute fracture of the distal aspect of the humerus in twenty consecutive patients (twenty-one elbows) who had a mean age of seventy-two years (range, forty-eight to ninety-two years) at the time of the injury. The patients were managed between November 1982 and October 1992. The presence of rheumatoid arthritis in nine patients (ten elbows) influenced the choice of treatment. The mean interval between the injury and the total elbow arthroplasty was seven days (range, one to twenty-five days). The mean duration of postoperative hospitalization was seven days (range, four to thirteen days). The mean duration of follow-up was 3.3 years (range, three months to 10.5 years). All patients were followed for a minimum of two years or until the time of death; the duration of follow-up was less than two years for three patients who died. None of the patients were lost to follow-up. Twenty implants were intact at the latest follow-up examination. One patient had a revision total elbow arthroplasty twenty months after the index procedure because of a fracture of the ulnar component sustained in a fall on the outstretched arm. On the basis of the Mayo elbow performance score, fifteen elbows had an excellent result and five had a good result; there were inadequate data for one elbow. There were no fair or poor results. The mean arc of flexion was 25 to 130 degrees. There was no evidence of loosening on the radiographs. Postoperative complications included fracture of the ulnar component in one patient, ulnar neurapraxia in three, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy in one. The results suggest that total elbow arthroplasty can be an alternative form of treatment of a severely comminuted fracture of the distal aspect of the humerus in older patients even in the presence of rheumatoid arthritis. This procedure is not an alternative to osteosynthesis in younger patients.     

Protection from carcinogenic agents in work environments: considerations on Title VII of Legislative Decree 626/94

A variety of techniques are available for reconstruction of the wrist. The efficacy of wrist arthroplasty, however, is met with narrowed indications and does not enjoy the success that total joint replacement in other joints, such as the hip and knee, has enjoyed. With design improvements during the last decade, good short-term results from total wrist arthroplasty can be expected in the low-demand patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Wrist arthrodesis, either pancarpal or limited, is considered the primary surgical alternative in patients with most arthritic conditions of the wrist. The pancarpal arthrodesis is a predictable, durable alternative to a variety of post-traumatic, degenerative, or neoplastic conditions of the wrist; however, some authors report that complications may be prevalent. This procedure also may be modified and applied to the destroyed rheumatoid wrist. Overall, selection of fixation mode depends on bone quality. In an attempt to preserve motion, various limited arthrodeses of the carpus have been described. Although technically demanding, successful results may be expected, especially in conditions of carpal instability. With the current wide array of surgical alternatives, the surgeon must consider each case carefully and select the procedure that best applies to each particular situation. Furthermore, it is extremely important that the surgeon educate the patient on the limitations of each procedure.     

Cross-sectional epidemiological survey of rheumatoid arthritis patients seen in private practice in France. Descriptive results (1629 cases)

OBJECTIVE: To conduct an epidemiological study of rheumatoid arthritis patients seen by office-based rheumatologists in France (first semester of 1996). METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 1629 rheumatoid arthritis patients conducted by 373 office-based rheumatologists who volunteered for the study (one visit per patient). Each rheumatologist was to complete a 200-variable questionnaire for the first four rheumatoid arthritis patients who came to their office. RESULTS: Women contributed 81% of the sample (mean age, 57 years); 19% of patients were seen in the Paris area, 20% in the North East, 20% in the North West, 22% in the South East and 19% in the South West. Twenty-nine per cent of patients had a paid job and 21.1% (all women) were homemakers. Among the patients with a paid job, 44% were on sick leave, with the reason for the sick leave being the rheumatoid arthritis in 36% of cases. Nineteen per cent of patients had stopped working permanently because of their rheumatoid arthritis, after a mean disease duration of six years. Mean disease duration in the overall sample was eight years. The diagnosis was established within six months of symptom onset in 75% of cases. A family history of rheumatoid arthritis was found in 11% of patients and a family history of other autoimmune diseases in 2%. The disease was precipitated by a stressful life event in 17% of cases. Follow-up was being provided only by the study rheumatologist in 59% of cases and also by a general practitioner in 39%. The disease was quiescent in 9% of cases, minimally active in 32%, moderately active in 46% and severely active in 13%. Eighty-four per cent of patients were on one (78%) or more (6%) second-line drugs including methotrexate (45%), an antimalarial (17%), intramuscular gold (14%), tiopronin (9%), D-penicillamine (6%) and sulfasalazine (12%). Fifty-two per cent of patients were on steroid therapy (mean dose, 7.5 +/- 5.7 mg/d). Other drugs included nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents (61%), analgesics (61%), gastroduodenal protective agents (45%) and anxiety-relieving agents (10%). Twenty-four per cent of patients had had one or more surgical procedures (mean, 3/patient) for their joint disease. CONCLUSION: This nation-wide epidemiological survey conducted in France provides a database on the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis patients followed in private practice.     

Follow-up studies after bicondylar superficial replacement of rheumatoid knee joint destruction

This study documents prospectively the Knee Society knee- and function score of 28 patients with rheumatoid arthritis with 34 PFC unconstrained total knee arthroplasties from preoperative values on at yearly intervals. The average follow-up period was 3.4 years (range 2-5.5 y). At last follow-up over 80% of the knees were painfree. All but one patient could walk more than 500 m. Knee and function score increased significantly from 30.1 resp. 35.0 to 83.8 resp. 74.6 (P < 0.000001). Postoperatively the knee score rose soon to a constant level whereas the function score showed a continuous slow increase up to 5 years. We observed one deep venous thrombosis and one subluxation. At an intermediate follow-up rheumatoid knees are clinically and functionally successfully operated on using an unconstrained TKA. Pain relief is excellent. We recommend the use of a scoring system assessing knee and functional results separately.     

Hand flexor tenosynovitis in rheumatoid arthritis. Prevalence, distribution, and associated rheumatic features

Tenosynovitis of one or more flexor tendons of the hand (mean 3.1 tendons per patient) was noted in 55% of 100 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) examined periodically during a mean period of 5 years. The third flexor tendon was involved most frequently (71% of patients), followed by the second (62%), fourth (53%), fifth (27%), and first (13%). Patients with flexor tendonitis (FT) had a significantly higher prevalence of rheumatoid nodules (56% vs 33%), carpal tunnel syndrome (47% vs 13%), wrist extensor tenosynovitis (47% vs 9%), and elbow epicondylitis (22% vs 7%) than patients without FT. Dupuytren's contracture, DeQuervain's tenovaginitis, flexor carpi radialis and ulnaris tendonitis, and Achilles tendonitis were found exclusively in patients with FT. A control group of 50 non-RA patients with FT had statistically fewer diseased tendons per patient (mean 1.5) and a different digital distribution, the thumb being affected more frequently (P less than 0.05) than in RA patients.     

Setting an uncorrected visual acuity standard for police officer applicants

The Madelung deformity can result in pain and decreased function of the wrist and hand. None of the surgical techniques available has been shown consistently to improve grip strength, range of movement or relieve pain. In this prospective study we have treated 18 patients with the Madelung deformity (25 wrists) by wedge subtraction osteotomy of the radius and shortening of the ulna. Our results show statistically significant improvement in grip strength and range of movement of the wrist and forearm. Pain improved in 80% of the patients and 88% were satisfied with the appearance. One patient had a wound infection and another developed reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Two had some recurrence due to continued growth of the ulna and it is recommended that the procedure be delayed until skeletal maturity, or else combined with epiphysiodesis of the ulna.     

Multiple prosthetic infections after total joint arthroplasty. Risk factor analysis

The relative risk of age, sex, underlying diagnosis, corticosteroid usage, diabetes mellitus, and major nonprosthetic infection for the development of multiple prosthetic infections was assessed retrospectively. Deep infection occurred in 174 replacement arthroplasties in 145 patients between 1981 and 1993. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis had a significantly larger number of implants per patient (P < .001). Twenty-seven of 145 patients developed a second prosthetic infection, for an overall incidence of 19%. Of these 27, the underlying diagnoses were rheumatoid arthritis in 19, osteoarthritis in 6, neuropathic arthritis in 1, and systemic lupus erythematosus in 1. Rheumatoid arthritis and the occurrence of a major nonprosthetic infection (sepsis) were found to be highly associated with the development of a second prosthetic infection (P < .001 and P = .0001, respectively). In those rheumatoid patients with multiple infections, there was a significantly larger proportion with American Rheumatism Association class III and IV function than those with a single prosthetic infection (P = .0002). In 14 of the 27 cases of more than one prosthetic infection, the infected implants presented clinically within the same month. Ten of these 14 had an associated nonprosthetic infection. It is therefore not possible to accurately calculate the risk that one infected arthroplasty poses to other implants.     

Arthroscopic synovectomy of the elbow for rheumatoid arthritis. A prospective study

The short-term assessment of 14 arthroscopic synovectomies of the elbow in 11 patients with rheumatoid arthritis showed that 93% achieved a short-term rating of excellent or good on the Mayo Elbow Performance Score. At the most recent assessment at an average of 42 months, however, only 57% maintained excellent or good results; four had required total elbow replacement. Although rehabilitation is facilitated by an arthroscopic procedure the results deteriorate more rapidly than after open synovectomy. This may be due to the limitations of the arthroscopic technique and is consistent with experience of the similar procedure in the knee. Recognition of the short-term gain and the potential for serious nerve injury should be considered when offering arthroscopic synovectomy.     

Intraarticular corticosteroid injection in the management of children with chronic arthritis

OBJECTIVE: Intraarticular (IA) corticosteroid injection is a common therapeutic approach in the management of adult rheumatoid arthritis. This study examined the safety and efficacy of IA corticosteroid injection in 71 patients with juvenile arthritis who were being seen at the Sheba Medical Center during the years 1991-1996. METHODS: Sixty-one patients fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology revised criteria for the diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), 6 patients had reactive arthritis, and 4 patients had various other arthritic conditions. The mean +/- SD age was 9.4 +/- 5.6 years (range 0.5-18 years); 47 were female (mean age 8.1 +/- 5.5 years) and 24 were male (mean age 10.8 +/- 5.4 years). A total of 300 joints were injected with triamcinolone hexacetonide. The most common sites of injection were the knees (124 injections), ankles (71 injections), wrists (46 injections), shoulders (10 injections), and elbows (7 injections). Children under the age of 6 (n = 17), or older children who received more than 4 joint injections at one time (n = 10) were sedated with either ketamine HCI or propofol. All other children received their joint injections under local anesthesia. RESULTS: Full remission of the joint inflammation lasting >6 months following injection was achieved in 246 of the 300 injections (82.0%). In 54 (18.0%) of the injected joints, the inflammation recurred within 6 months of injection. In patients with pauciarticular arthritis, 115 of 141 injections (81.6%) resulted in full remission. Discontinuation of all oral medications was accomplished in 43 patients (60.6%) of the total group of 71 patients and in 32 of the 43 patients with pauciarticular disease (74.4%). Correction of joint contraction was achieved in 42 children (55 joints). In all 11 patients with Baker's cyst and in 12 patients with tenosynovitis, complete remission was achieved following injection. No infection or other serious complications occurred in any of the patients following the procedure. CONCLUSION: IA corticosteroid joint injection in children with juvenile arthritis is a safe and effective mode of therapy. It may be the only therapy needed in patients with pauciarticular JRA, obviating the need for prolonged oral medications, and is effective in correcting joint contractions and deformities.     

Arthroplasty of the forefoot in rheumatoid arthritis: long-term results after Clayton procedure

The present study aims to evaluate long-term results after Clayton resection arthroplasty in patients with symptomatic arthritis of the forefeet. From 1970 to 1995, 109 patients with a total of 184 rheumatoid forefeet underwent Clayton's procedure at an average age of 60 years. Forty-seven of them returned with 82 operated feet for follow-up by means of patient history, physical examination and radiograph an average of 12.8 years later. Overall outcome was judged as successful in 60 of the 82 cases with complete pain relief, remarkably improved gait capacity and use of normal shoes. Sixteen of the feet were definitely improved, but slight to moderate pain, inadequate balance and contact with the ground, limited walking distance and use of large shoes were signs of decreased operation success. The remaining 5 feet showed recurrent splay-foot deformity with intolerable pain, functional disability and restricted gait capacity even though specially made surgical shoes were used. The Clayton procedure appears to be a suitable method for surgical correction of symptomatic rheumatoid forefeet.     

Fullerene lipids: synthesis of dialkyl 1,2-[6,6]-methano-[60]-fullerene dicarboxylate derivatives

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of chronic arthritis with special reference to rheumatoid arthritis. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was performed during the years 1990 and 1991 in a randomly selected sample of the urban population of Belgrade. RESULTS: Out of 2184 participants, > or = 20 yr old, surveyed by questionnaire, 756 (34.6%) reported peripheral joint complaints. Of those with complaints, 621 (82.1%) agreed to undergo detailed examination. Arthritis was diagnosed in four men (one had rheumatoid arthritis and three had spondylarthropathy with peripheral arthritis) and 11 women (three had rheumatoid arthritis, one had B27-positive polyarthritis and seven had undifferentiated chronic arthritis). The prevalence of chronic arthritis in the adult population was 0.69% (0.35% for men and 1.05% for women). The prevalence for rheumatoid arthritis was 0.18% (0.09% for men and 0.29% for women). Re-examination of 15 individuals with chronic arthritis 3 yr later showed changes in diagnosis only in those patients who at baseline examination had undifferentiated chronic arthritis. CONCLUSION: According to the results obtained, the urban population of Belgrade is among populations with a low prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis.     

3- to 11-year followup of occipitocervical fusion for rheumatoid arthritis

The relief of myelopathy usually is unsatisfactory by a conventional Gallie type atlantoaxial fusion for patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation. To accomplish a decompressive laminectomy of the atlas in the treatment of myelopathy, the authors have been performing a new surgical procedure since 1985 for occipitocervical fusion using a rectangular rod. The postoperative outcomes for 25 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were evaluated clinically and radiographically with a 3- to 11-year (mean, 6.5 years) followup. A decompressive laminectomy of the atlas accompanied the fusion in 21 of the 25 patients. The incidence of occipital or nuchal pains improved notably in most cases, and myelopathy was relieved in 12 of 18 (67%) cases, showing an improvement of more than one level based on Ranawat's criteria. No serious postoperative complications were seen, except for one case of a failed bone union. The cumulative survival in patients with myelopathy was 79.4% in the first 5 years after operation and 27.5% at 10 years. Occipitocervical fusion using a rectangular rod accompanied by a decompressive laminectomy of the atlas can contribute to the relief of a neurologic deficit in an irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation in rheumatoid arthritis.     

Ibutilide: an antiarrhythmic agent for the treatment of atrial fibrillation or flutter

The results of nineteen semiconstrained modified Coonrad-Morrey total elbow arthroplasties performed in nineteen patients to treat instability were evaluated at an average of seventy-two months (range, twenty-five to 128 months) postoperatively. Preoperatively, all patients had either a flail elbow or gross instability of the elbow that prevented useful function of the extremity. The instability of sixteen elbows was the result of a traumatic injury or of the treatment of such an injury. The most recent result was satisfactory for sixteen elbows and unsatisfactory for three. The average overall Mayo elbow performance score increased from 44 points preoperatively to 86 points postoperatively. At the most recent follow-up examination, no elbow was unstable. The average arc of flexion was from 25 degrees (range, 0 to 60 degrees) to 128 degrees (range, 30 to 142 degrees), which represented a 58-degree increase from the preoperative average arc. Sixteen patients had little or no pain after the arthroplasty. There were four complications in four patients. Three complications (loosening of the humeral component in one patient and a fracture of the ulnar component in two) occurred postoperatively; all three were treated with a revision procedure. The other complication (a fracture of the olecranon) occurred intraoperatively and was treated with tension-band fixation; the most recent outcome was not affected. Radiographically, one patient had complete (type-V) radiolucency about the humeral component. None of the nine patients for whom true anteroposterior radiographs were available had evidence of wear of the bushings. The bone graft behind the anterior flange of the humeral prosthesis was mature in fourteen elbows, incomplete in two, and resorbed in two. One patient was excluded from this analysis because radiographs were not available. Instability of the elbow resulting in the inability to use the extremity is a challenging clinical situation. However, in patients who are more than sixty years old and in selected patients who are less than sixty years old but who have extensive loss of bone as a result of severe injury, have had multiple operations, or have rheumatoid arthritis, total elbow arthroplasty with a linked, semiconstrained prosthesis reestablishes a mobile, stable joint without premature loosening or failure of the components. In our experience, the use of customized implants, maintenance of the muscular attachments to the epicondyles, and reconstruction of the epicondyles to the implant were unnecessary.     

Musculoskeletal manifestations, pain, and quality of life in Persian Gulf War veterans referred for rheumatologic evaluation

OBJECTIVE: Pain in the joints and other areas has been a frequent complaint among veterans of Operation Desert Storm who are experiencing unexplained illness. We characterized the rheumatic manifestations of a group of veterans of the Persian Gulf War who were referred to a rheumatology clinic. METHODS: Consecutive South Texas veterans of the Persian Gulf War who were referred for evaluation of rheumatic manifestations underwent a comprehensive evaluation of their musculoskeletal symptoms, pain, and health related quality of life. RESULTS: Of 928 veterans evaluated in a screening clinic for unexplained symptoms, 145 had rheumatic manifestations (15.6%) and were referred to a rheumatology clinic. The most common diagnosis was fibromyalgia, present in 49 patients (33.8%), followed by various soft tissue problems in 25 (17.2%), nonspecific arthralgias in 14 (9.6%), and clinical or radiographic osteoarthritis in 16 (11.0%). In 39 patients (26.9%), no symptoms were present at the time of the evaluation, a careful musculoskeletal examination and laboratory tests were normal, and no diagnosis was possible. Two patients had Reiter's syndrome. Four had a positive rheumatoid factor and 3 had antinuclear antibodies, but none of these had clinical evidence of rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus. Pain was present in nearly all patients and was widely distributed, with no body area spared in this group of patients. The most frequent painful areas were the knees in > 65%, the lower back in > 60%, the shoulders in 50%, and the hands and wrists in 35%. Widespread body pain was present in 65.1% of the veterans. Average values of all 8 scales measured by the SF-36 health survey were below the 25th percentile of published national norms, with pain and the number of nonarticular rheumatic symptoms explaining most of the decreased health related quality of life in the veterans we evaluated. CONCLUSION: No specific rheumatic diagnosis is characteristic of Gulf War veterans with unexplained illness referred to a rheumatology clinic. However, pain is common and widespread in these patients, and their health related quality of life is poor. Further research is necessary to determine the cause of the symptoms of veterans of the Gulf War.     

Urinary macromolecules are promoters of calcium oxalate nucleation in human urine: turbidimetric studies

In selected circumstances, especially those associated with pain and mechanical instability, early surgical therapy is indicated for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Close consultation between the rheumatologist and surgeon enables identification of focused goals attainable by synovectomy, ligament or tendon reconstruction, joint replacement, or arthrodesis. If these goals are met, the result can be a gratifying return of function and independence. This article describes some of the more common deformities of the hand, wrist, and elbow in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Current surgical therapy, along with outcome and complications, is also discussed. Emphasis is placed on decisions and indications for surgical evaluation.     

Survivorship analysis of total knee arthroplasty with the kinematic prosthesis in patients who have rheumatoid arthritis

Eighty-eight primary total knee arthroplasty procedures in 61 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were performed using the Kinematic total knee prosthesis (Howmedica, Rutherford, NJ) with cement between 1980 and 1985. No patients were lost to follow-up evaluation. Thirty-one of 61 patients died during the study period. Survivorship for all patients by life-table method was estimated as 56% at 10 years. This was shorter than the expected survival rate of a sex- and age-matched control group. Fifty procedure outcomes in 34 patients (27 women, 7 men) who were followed for more than 10 years were available for clinical evaluation. Complications occurred in 11 cases; in 4 of these, revision surgery was required. With revision as the endpoint, the survival rate of the prostheses was estimated as 93% at 10 years.     

The long-term outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis: a 23-year prospective, longitudinal study of total joint replacement and its predictors in 1,600 patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: Although total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is a common procedure and an important outcome in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), little is known about its prevalence, failure rate, or predictors over the course of the illness. The current study evaluated these factors in 1,600 consecutive RA patients seen during a period of observation that extended 23 years. METHODS: Beginning in 1974, data from 34,040 RA patient visits were entered prospectively into a computer databank. Data consisted of laboratory, radiographic, physical examination, and self-report questionnaires. At each assessment, we also noted a complete surgical history. Patients were also followed up by questionnaires that were mailed at 6-month intervals. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier life-table estimates indicated that 25% of RA patients will undergo total joint arthroplasty (TJA) within 21.8 years of disease onset. For patients with 1 TJA, 25% had a TJA in a different joint within 0.92 years and 50% within 7.0 years. Ten years after TJA, approximately 6% of implanted knees and 4% of implanted hips had been replaced with a second TJA, and 12% and 13% of the joints had either a second TJA or a TJA-related operation, respectively. In Cox regressions, a large series of clinical and laboratory variables, which primarily reflected disease activity, predicted TJA. Smoking, either past or present, had a protective effect. Patients with highly abnormal values on the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Scale, global severity, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate had a 3-6 times increased risk of TJA. CONCLUSION: TJA, a marker of joint failure and of RA outcome, is predicted by self-report assessments of severity and function, and by a series of laboratory, radiographic, and clinical variables. Prediction improves with the extent of observation, and 2-year observations approach full-study observations in their accuracy. Most TJAs survive for a long time in RA.     

Failed total wrist arthroplasty. Analysis of failures and results of operative management

Nine metal on polyethylene total wrist arthroplasties were revised for failure, including eight trispherical devices and one Volz implant. Causes of failure include sepsis in one patient, progressive wrist flexion contracture in two patients, and mechanical failure in six patients. The most common mode of mechanical failure was metacarpal loosening with dorsal perforation of the stem. This was associated with an intact articulation between the third metacarpal and the capitate, with a proximal position of the metacarpal component in the shaft, and with poor cement fill of the metacarpal shaft. The one infected wrist was managed with resection arthroplasty. Five patients had conversion to a wrist arthrodesis and three patients underwent revision total wrist arthroplasty with custom trispherical components. Followup averaged 3.3 years. All patients undergoing arthrodesis attained a solid painless fusion after a single operation at an average of 4.8 months. The three patients treated with revision arthroplasty had wrists that were pain free, functional, and had no evidence of loosening at latest followup. Failed total wrist arthroplasties can be salvaged successfully to either a fusion or a revision arthroplasty in most patients.