Correlation between carpal rotational alignment and postoperative wrist range of motion following total wrist arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: Although total wrist arthroplasty (TWA) has become a common treatment option for wrists with damage due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the optimal implant axial alignment for TWA has been inadequately studied. This study was performed to investigate the relationships between implant alignment and carpal rotational alignment and the wrist range of motion (ROM) following TWA. METHODS: This study included 18 patients who underwent TWA using a DARTS® Total Wrist System (Teijin Nakashima Medical, Okayama, Japan) for wrist RA. Pre- and 6-month postoperative computed tomography scans were performed, including the radial volar line (Rv), capitohamate axis (CH), and Rv-CH angle in axial scans. The wrist ROM was also measured. The relationship between the Rv-CH angle and ROM was examined. RESULTS: The mean Rv-CH angle showed significant wrist pronation from 73.0° to 83.4° postoperatively. We observed a significant positive correlation (0.58) between the postoperative Rv-CH angle and extension and a significant negative correlation (− 0.56) between the postoperative Rv-CH angle and flexion. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of the DARTS® TWA prosthesis resulted in pronation of the carpal axial alignment, which was correlated with postoperative wrist extension. The volar cortex of the distal radius can be a novel reference axis for adequate implant placement.