Scaphoid Lunate Advanced Collapse
- Evolution of:
- Technologies
- Procedures
Scaphoidectomy and Four Corner Fusion
The scaphoidectomy and four corner fusion was developed to limit the painful motion between the carpal bones in the hand by removing some of the articulations and replacing them with fused joints. Early techniques involved holding the bones in place with Kirschner wires (K-wires), however compression was difficult to maintain, and so screws fired across the individual joints was trialed, along with compression staples, both with better fusion rates.
The development and implantation of a circular dorsal plate has grown in favor for its ease of use and rigidness to allow for early active range of motion exercises.
Scaphoid Lunate Advanced Collapse Surgery
Operative treatment for SLAC wrist is dependent on how far the osteoarthritis has progressed. In early cases, the damaged ligament between the scaphoid and lunate can be recreated and the end of the radius can be resected to allow for less contact pressures, hopefully slowing of the arthritic process. Sometimes the nerves suppling the pain sensation, such as the anterior and posterior interosseous nerves (AIN and PIN), can be resected to decrease the pain in the wrist from the osteoarthritis.
If the osteoarthritis does not involve the articulation between the lunate and capitate bones and the ligament between the radius, scaphoid and capitate is still intact, then a proximal row carpectomy can be performed. This procedure involves removing scaphoid, lunate and triquetrum, enabling the more distal row of bones in the hand to articulate at the wrist.
When the SLAC wrist has progressed to involve the cartilage between the lunate and capitate, then a scaphoidectomy and four corner fusion is indicated. This procedure removes the scaphoid and then forms a fused conglomeration between the lunate, triquetrum, capitate and hamate bones in the hand. This new fused bone can move as a single unit at the wrist and the previous pain caused by osteoarthritis between these bones is eliminated.
Integra® Spider™ and Mini Spider™ Limited Wrist Fusion System
Integra® Spider™ and Mini Spider™ Limited Wrist Fusion System is a versitile, concave low-profile circular plate with both eight and six hole options designed for 4 corner and other limited wrist fusion procedures. The central hole of the plate can be ultilzed for additional bone graft placement and better visualization. It comes in two sizes to accomidate both anatomical variable as well as other limited wrist fusion.