A latest generation wrist prosthetic implant was performed at the Bari Polyclinic which allowed a 57-year-old man to recover full functionality of the joint. The patient turned to the orthopedic clinic following a poorly treated fracture of the scaphoid of the hand which, after years, in addition to the pain, was leading to complete immobility of the wrist. Among the treatment options, the most suitable and agreed upon by Professor Giuseppe Solarino’s team with the patient was the implantation of a prosthesis which allowed him to fully recover movement.
“In addition to hip, shoulder and knee prosthetic surgery, which saw a 30% increase in the first quarter of 2024, we have long since started an important project on hand prosthetic surgery at the Bari Polyclinic. – explains Professor Giuseppe Solarino, director of the orthopedics and traumatology unit of the Bari Polyclinic – Today it is a source of particular pride to be able to say that we performed this type of wrist prosthesis for the first time in a public hospital in southern Italy on a young, active patient for a degenerative pathology that functionally limited the wrist and caused particular pain.“.
“The patient went to the clinic – adds the orthopedic surgeon Francesco Rifino who performed the operation – in order to have a resolution to the problem of joint pain. Among the various surgical treatment options there was also an arthrodesis between the carpal bones of the wrist, which would have resulted in stopping the pain, but blocking the joint. The patient asked us for an option that could try to restore as much movement as possible. We opted for a prosthesis with a cobalt-chrome mobile fulcrum and two bonit-coated titanium stems in the third metacarpal and in the distal portion of the radius. After the operation, the patient demonstrated a good response even in the rehabilitation phase and is now able to move the limb without any more pain and no limitations to his work activity“.
