Wrist fusion (arthrodesis)

The wrist is made up of several small bones, the carpal bones, which move against each other and against the forearm. After an old fracture, a ligament injury, osteoarthritis or an inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, these joints can wear out. The wrist then becomes painful, swollen and weak, and medical treatment is no longer enough. Arthrodesis permanently fuses bones together to eliminate the painful movement. It can be partial: only some of the carpal bones are fused, which keeps part of the wrist's movement. It can be total: the whole wrist is fused, usually with a plate, which relieves pain while preserving forearm rotation and finger movement. It is a carefully considered operation, offered after medical treatment, splints and injections have failed. The surgeon discusses with you the balance between pain relief and loss of movement, according to your job and activities. At Clinique Pasteur Tunis, wrist fusion is performed in the operating theatre by an orthopaedic surgeon, with a short hospital stay and X-ray follow-up until the bones have fused.