Distal Row Carpectomy—A Possible Salvage Procedure of Severe Carpal Trauma

Complex fracture dislocations of the wrist often result in posttraumatic arthrosis. In trying to avoid total arthrodesis, alternative treatment strategies have been investigated. For this purpose, we present the case of a 56-year-old male patient who sustained a direct trauma during a circular saw accident, resulting in the destruction of the distal carpal row among other things. However, the proximal carpal row was found completely intact. We indicated an emergency distal row carpectomy. Eighteen months postoperatively, the patient showed very good range of movement with no pain, and radiologically, the proximal carpal row was still intact, with no signs of an incipient radiocarpal arthrosis. This case demonstrates the successful removal of the distal carpal row in terms of a distal row carpectomy.