Proximal Row Carpectomy with Total Scapoidectomy vs. Conventional Carpal Resection for ReMotion Total Wrist Arthroplasty

High complication rates in total wrist arthroplasty (TWA) still lead to controversy in the medical literature, and novel methods for complication reduction are warranted. In the present retrospective cohort study, we compare the outcomes of the proximal row carpectomy (PRC) method including total scaphoidectomy (n = 22) to the manufacturer’s conventional carpal resection (CCR) technique, which retains the distal pole of the scaphoid (n = 25), for ReMotion prosthesis implantation in non-rheumatoid patients. Mean follow-up was 65.8 ± 19.8 and 80.0 ± 28.7 months, respectively. Pre- and postoperative clinical assessment included wrist flexion-extension and radial-ulnar deviation; Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores; and pain via visual analogue scale. At final follow-up, grip strength and satisfaction were evaluated. All complications, re-operations, and revision surgeries were noted. Clinical complications were significantly lower in the PRC group (p = 0.010). Radial impaction was detected as the most frequent complication in the CCR group (n = 10), while no PRC patients suffered from this complication (p = 0.0008). Clinical assessment, grip strength measurements, and the log rank test evaluating the re-operation as well as revision function showed no significant difference. All functional parameters significantly improved compared to preoperative values in both cohorts. In conclusion, we strongly recommend PRC for ReMotion prosthesis implantation.