Open release of stiff wrist: a medium to long term case series and literature review

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: The authors reported a personal case series of open release of stiff wrists performed after previous internal osteosynthesis of distal radius fractures. METHODS: From a series of 16 patients operated by a single surgeon, 12 were evaluated at a mean 7.1 years follow-up (range 2.25 to 19 years), while 4 were lost at follow-up. The ROM in flexion-extension achieved at the final control was measured with a goniometer and compared to that recorded before surgery. The PRWHE questionnaire was administered at the last follow-up. RESULTS: The mean flexion improved from 25.5° to 42.3° and the extension from 15.75° to 43°. The mean PRWHE value was 32.9. CONCLUSIONS: Although arthroscopic release is increasingly used in clinical practice for its minimal invasiveness and warranty of fast recovery, open arthrolysis in post-traumatic stiff wrists appears to be an effective procedure, adaptable to all types of stiffness, that lets get good long lasting functional results. (www.actabiomedica.it)