Four Corner Fusion and Proximal Row Carpectomy: Comparison of Wrist Motion and Tendon Forces

Introduction: There is controversy as to whether a proximal row carpectomy (PRC) is a better procedure than scaphoid excision with 4corner fusion for preserving motion in the painful posttraumatic arthritic wrist. Clinical studies have shown that wrist range of motion after PRC and 4-corner fusion are comparable, although slightly less after 4-corner fusion (Krakauer, Wyrick, Tomaino). Recent 10 year follow-up suggest more complications with PRC. The purpose of this study was to determine how the kinematics and tendon forces of the wrist are altered after PRC and 4-corner fusion.