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Introduction: We compare retrospectively two groups of total trapezectomy did as treatment for primary osteoarthritis of trapeziometacarpal joint combined in 34 cases with tendon interposition arthroplasty (group A) and in 35 cases with suspensioplasty (group B)., Method: In group A an 'anchovy' was made with half band of the abductor pollicis longus tendon and the palmarus longus tendon; in group B the same tendon samples were rolled around the flexor capi radialis tendon. The follow up is at least 18 months., Results: Strength was nearly the same in the two groups. The suspensioplasty of the group B allows a better stability after trapezectomy than the anchovy of the group A, but with a small decrease in range of motion, without functional consequence. In both groups of patients, the range of motion was good. In the group B, the persistent pain was more frequent than in group A. Patients were satisfied with the ability of perform activities of daily life, but working patients were bothered by poor endurance. There was no statistical correlation between the power of the thumb and thumb shortening, but there was one between increasing of hyperextension of thumb metacarpophalangeal joint and decreasing power of pinch., Discussion: Since the suspensioplasty has been tightenedless, the relief of pain has been better in the group B. Overall, the results in the two groups were nearly the same; the two procedures studied are satisfactory in most cases, but their result is too often inadequate with performance at work.

Scapholunate dissociation is well documented as a condition occurring in adult patients. We report it in a 14-year-old female patient. Persistent wrist pain 9 months after a well healed fracture of the distal radius triggered further investigation. Dynamic clinical and radiological studies demonstrated the instability.

Wrist arthroscopy performed on 78 patients showed 35 lunates of Type I (44.9%) i.e., having only one facet on their distal (midcarpal) aspect, and 43 lunates of Type II (55.1%), i.e., having two facets on this aspect. Chondral defects and/or arthritic lesions of the ulnar portion of the midcarpal joints were observed in 22.8% of Type I lunates and in 30.2% of Type II lunates. Chondral lesions of the midcarpal joints in Type I lunates were always associated with other ligamentous and/or osteochondral lesions, whereas the same lesions could be found isolated in Type II lunates. The observed association of lesions seemed to point to a trauma as the cause of some chondral lesions. The results of our clinical study were compared with anatomical studies by Viegas, all which showed no hamate pathologic conditions in Type I lunates.

From November 1988 to December 1990, 15 four-bone fusions (capitalum-lunatum-triquetrum-hamatum) were performed in our department. 3 cases were lost at follow-up, so we here describe 12 cases reviewed for a clinical and radiologic evaluation. Etiologies were as follows: advanced scapholunate dissociation: 5 cases; advanced pseudarthrosis of the scaphoid: 6 cases; ulnar midcarpal instability: 1 case. Follow-up averaged 18.8 months with a range of 6 to 29 months. Pain was significantly lessened: 9 patients had either no pain, pain influenced only by weather, or pain after sustained effort. Results for strength were average. Joint motion was severely restricted, with individual variations among patients. Remaining joint motion was of little use, and some activities of daily living were thus hampered. Pre and postoperative radiologic analysis of the carpus showed that repositioning the proximal row into the distal row of bones was not necessary. In order to obtain a good result, it suffices to stabilize the existing carpal collapse without attempting to restore carpal height. Study of this short series showed the efficacy of this arthrodesis as regards to pain although it significantly decreased the range of motion.

Diagnosis of scapholunate instability can be established even when static and dynamic X-Rays are normal. Dynamic manoeuvres during wrist arthroscopy are superior to other testing methods in diagnosing scapholunate instability at these early stages. Evaluation of ligament remnants during arthroscopy is also helpful when selecting the appropriate treatment option.

In performing STT arthrodesis, the excision of the tip of the radial styloid avoids further radial styloid impingement. Cancellous bone graft can be obtained through the base of the excised radial styloid, using a trephine or a curette. The amount of bone removed is sufficient for intercarpal arthrodesis.

The results of a series of 36 post-traumatic radio-carpal arthrodeses were compared with those of the series of resection of the first row of carpal bones reported during the round table. The advantages and disadvantages of both procedures were discussed. Arthrodesis results in: 1) loss of grip strength in all cases, averaging 41%; 2) persistent pain in 78% of cases; 3) impairment of function resulting from blocking of the wrist. After the procedure, average time off work is 15 months, level of permanent disability was 30%, and 20% of patients returned to their previous jobs. These figures could be used as arguments against arthrodesis. However, they must be taken in context: final arthrodesis, usually performed on manual workers, is often chosen when resection of the first row of carpal bones would obviously be insufficient, for example, when severe arthritis of the head of the capitate is present.

Transtriquetral triquetro-lunate arthrodesis is an original technique for partial arthrodesis of the wrist. This operation is indicated in the treatment of certain forms of triquetro-lunate instability and represents a new approach to the treatment of Decoulx's stages I and II of Kienböck's disease. The incision is medial and limited. The use of a special trephine guided by a pine allows the extraction of a triquetro-lunate osteocartilaginous cylinder. A cancellous bone graft is then performed to fill in the loss of substance. This new, simple surgical procedure, but demanding in terms of its technique, should decrease the failure rate and should improve the chances of lunate revascularisation.