Complications of limited and total wrist arthrodesis.

Partial and total wrist arthrodeses have become common procedures for treating degenerative diseases arising from numerous conditions, including posttraumatic arthrosis, intercalated segment instability, inflammatory arthropathy, and carpal osteonecrosis. The goals of these two procedures are to provide pain relief and improved function by fusing arthritic or unstable joints. A thorough understanding of the complications and the best practices to avoid them is critical for the surgeon in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management of candidates for total or limited wrist arthrodesis.