Wrist Hemiarthroplasty.

Hand Clin · May 2026 · Review

O'Shaughnessy MA, Westbrooks TJ

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 740 South Limestone

Hand & Upper Extremity

SUMMARY — THE REDUCTIONReviews wrist hemiarthroplasty, a partial radiocarpal replacement that may spare younger, active patients the complications and lifelong restrictions of total wrist arthroplasty, covering surgical options, indications, and outcomes.
Abstract, as published

Wrist hemiarthroplasty is a surgical technique involving partial arthroplasty of the radiocarpal joint. Depending on the pathology the surgeon is treating, the surgery can be radial-sided, radial-sided with a proximal row carpectomy, or carpal sided. The rationale for performing a wrist hemiarthroplasty is to avoid complications associated with total wrist arthroplasty. This may be a better option for younger, more active patients to avoid complications and lifelong activity restrictions inherent to total wrist arthroplasty. Here we review the current literature on wrist hemiarthroplasty and discuss surgical options, indications, and outcomes.

Featured in the 2026-10-09 issue.

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