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Report of Pisiform Removal for Painful Wrist Arthritis

This study reports the result of removing the pisiform bone in the wrist for painful arthritis. The pisiform is on the little-finger (ulnar) side of the wrist. It's embedded in the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon. It connects to the triquetrum bone with a single joint. Ligaments connect it to two other bones in the wrist.

Besides degenerative arthritis, ulnar-sided wrist pain can be caused by ganglion cysts, fracture, gout, or calcium deposits. In this study 21 patients had their pisiform removed. The tendon and ligaments around the pisiform were left untouched so function was preserved.

Patients were followed for up to three years. Twenty (20) were pain free. Only one patient had pain with strenuous activity. Wrist motion was equal to the wrist on the other side. The authors conclude that removing the pisiform when medical treatment hasn't relieved wrist pain doesn't interfere with hand function.

References: Claudia Lamas Gómez, MD, PhD et al. Dysfunction of the Pisotriquetral Joint: Degenerative Arthritis Treated by Excision of the Pisiform. In Orthopedics. April 2005. Vol. 28. No. 4. Pp. 405-408.

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