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Scaphoid excision and four-corner fusion is one of the treatment choices for patients who have stage II or III SLAC (scapholunate advanced collapse)/SNAC (scaphoid non-union advanced collapse) wrist arthritis. We report a case of ulnar-sided wrist pain which occurred after four-corner fusion for stage II SNAC wrist with a previously-asymptomatic ulnar positive variance, and was successfully treated by ulnar shortening osteotomy. This case highlights a possible coincidental pathology of the ulnocarpal joint in the setting of post-traumatic radiocarpal arthrosis.

Four-corner fusion is an accepted surgical treatment for established SLAC and SNAC wrist. We describe a technique of bone grafting to be used in conjunction with any of the standard fusion techniques. A step by step, illustrated approach allows the easy placement of an autograft which is in contact with all surfaces of the bones involved in the fusion.

Background: Perilunate dislocations are severe uncommon carpal injuries. They are sometimes missed with a reported incidence of up to 25%. Neglect for a period of time allows for soft tissue contractures, as well as bony changes that make reduction extremely difficult. For neglected cases, procedures such as staged open reduction, proximal row carpectomy, and wrist arthrodesis have been offered. The objective of this study was to examine whether scaphoid excision and four-corner fusion could be used to treat neglected perilunate dislocations.

Methods: Ten patients with neglected perilunate dislocations were managed by scaphoid excision and four-corner fusion. The dominant hand was involved in eight cases. Graft material for the fusion was obtained from the excised scaphoid. Results: Six patients had complete relief of pain both at rest and during stressful activities. Two patients had no pain at rest and mild pain on stressful activities. The remaining two patients had mild pain at rest and moderate pain on stressful activities. The arc of extension/flexion of the wrist and grip strength both improved as compared to their preoperative levels. The average postoperative Quick DASH score was 12.5.

Conclusions: Scaphoid excision with four corner fusion could be used to treat neglected perilunate dislocations with good pain relief and good hand function.

Background: Limited wrist arthrodesis with scaphoid excision is a useful treatment for scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) of the wrist. Multiple Kirschner wires were originally used for internal fixation of the four carpal bones, however long-term cast immobilization, pin tract infection, and hardware removal are still problematic. We introduce and evaluate the clinical outcomes of an internal fixation technique; triangle fixation for four-corner fusion, using three headless screws, as an alternative to conventional multiple Kirschner wires for the treatment of SLAC wrist.

Methods: Five male patients with SLAC wrist secondary to three scaphoid nonunions and two scapholunate dissociations were treated with four-corner fusion using triangle fixation with three Double-threaded Japan screws. The mean age was 59.5 years (35–79 years) and the mean follow-up period was 40 months. After surgery, short arm splints were applied for 3–4 weeks, and then range of motion exercises were initiated.

Results: Wrist range of motion and grip strength both improved postoperatively. At the final follow-up evaluation, bone union was completely achieved and satisfactory pain relief was observed in all patients.

Conclusions: Compared with the conventional Kirschner wire technique, the present technique shortens the period of splint immobilization due to a strong compression force in a skewed position, does not require pin removal or cause pin tract infections, and provides satisfactory results.