Union Rate and Clinical Outcomes Following Four-Corner Arthrodesis With a Dorsal Locking Plate: A Retrospective Case Series

Description

In this presentation, Emmitt Hayes discusses a retrospective review focused on the outcomes of four-corner arthrodesis using a dorsal locking PEEK plate, conducted alongside Dr. David Sauder, Dr. David Leswick, and Dr. Heron Obaid. The four-corner arthrodesis, recognized as a reliable procedure for advanced wrist arthritis, has seen limited reporting on fixation with PEEK plates, despite cadaver studies indicating superior stability over traditional methods. The study evaluated radiographic union rates and clinical outcomes among patients with a mean follow-up of 50 months, revealing an 87% union rate and an 8% non-union rate. Patients reported acceptable levels of function and grip strength, although high rates of hardware complications and subsequent reoperations were noted, particularly significant for those with non-union or lunate changes. The findings suggest that while four-corner arthrodesis with a PEEK plate is viable, further research is necessary to establish its comparative efficacy against other fixation methods.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-220789

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