Proximal row carpectomy.

Abstract

Proximal row carpectomy (PRC) is a motion-preserving treatment for the degenerated wrist. PRC provides painless wrist range of motion with few complications. PRC treats specifically scapholunate advanced collapse, scaphoid non-union advanced collapse, chronic perilunate dislocations, and Kienbock's disease. The best candidates are older than 35 with an intact capitate head and lunate facet of the distal radius. Proximal row carpectomy provides satisfactory postoperative wrist range of motion and grip strength with few complications, especially when there is no capitolunate arthrosis. Postoperative progressive changes at the radiocapitate articulation have been documented, yet these changes tend to remain asymptomatic.