Scapho-trapezio-trapezoid arthrodesis for treatment of chronic static and dynamic scapho-lunate instability: A 10-year perspective on pitfalls and complications

Goals of reducing wrist pain, allowing a stable active wrist range of motion, and retarding degenerative changes make arthrodesis of the scapho-trapezio-trapezoid joint a popular treatment for chronic static and dynamic scapho-lunate instability; however, pitfalls and complications have not been well studied. Forty-seven wrists in 46 patients over a 10-year period revealed a complication rate of 52%. Failure to attain perfect scaphoid reduction consistently resulted in persistent incapacitating pain. Radial styloid-scaphoid impingement, observed after “successful” limited wrist fusion, was effectively treated by simple styloidectomy. Carpal osteomyelitis, lunate avascular necrosis, pin-tract infection, progressive medial carpal translation, and intractable pain without arthrosis complete the spectrum of complications managed in this series. Careful preoperative patient screening and attention to detailed recommendations will assist surgeons in avoiding the many potential problems associated with this procedure.