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.