Arthrodesis of the wrist with bioabsorbable fixation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Twenty-four wrist arthrodeses were performed on 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis using a bioabsorbable self-reinforced poly- L -lactide rod as the fixation device. There was one nonunion which required a re-operation and two nonunions which did not need further treatment. The position of the arthrodesis was ulnar deviation and extension in most patients, and there was high patient satisfaction with 21 of the 24 wrists and satisfactory pain relief in 22 of the 24 wrists. This method for fusing the wrist in patients with rheumatoid arthritis appears reliable and simple to perform.