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

Main Article Content

Norman Della Rosa
Giulia Colzani
Giovanna Petrella
Vito Duca
Marta Starnoni
Antonio Landi

Keywords

Wrist open arthrolysis, wrist stiffness, wrist osteosynthesis

Abstract

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 administred 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 invasinevess 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.

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