[The treatment of carpal collapse: proximal row carpectomy or limited midcarpal arthrodesis? A comparative study].

Between July 2000 and February 2002, 26 wrists were treated because of SLAC, SNAC and radiocarpal arthrosis after fracture of the distal radius. In 14 cases proximal row carpectomy (PRC) and in twelve cases limited midcarpal arthrodesis (LWF) was performed. Follow-up was after a mean time of 16.8 (PRC) and 13.7 months (LWF) on ten wrists each. There was one complication in the PRC group and two in the LWF group. In all cases significant reduction of extension/flexion was observed with a mean range of motion of 69 degrees (PRC) and 71 degrees (LWF). The reduction of pain postoperatively was almost identical in both groups. Comparing grip-strength to the unoperated hand, we measured 26 compared to 39 kg in the PRC group and 28 compared to 46 kg in the LWF group, respectively. The DASH-score for the LWF group was 30 points and therefore better than the 36 points for the PRC group.