The Wrist Joint and Its Artificial Replacement

Abstract

Joint replacement surgery in the wrist is less common than other joint replacements, but it can be an option if the patient has severe painful arthritis that does not respond to other treatments. Three very illustrative views of the wrist joint are shown in Figs. 9.1a–c, showing the anatomy, the bones’ articulating surfaces, and the nomenclature of each bone. A wrist X-ray is shown in Fig. 9.1c.

Problems

• 1. The wrist joint is a very complex joint, and humans can do a wide range of activities with it. Think of the cricket bowlers fast, and spinners and batsmen as well. However, this joint replacement is not very common in India.

  How do you propose to design an artificial wrist joint based on its anatomy? Do you think you will achieve all the movements with your design? Consult an orthopedic surgeon to help you in your design, especially for surgical insertion of the components.

• 2. Study Fig. 9.7, and discuss how you will find the sizes of the carpal and radial components and what materials you propose to use. Consider the fixation modality as well. Can you suggest a simplified joint design? Could you make a cost estimate of the artificial wrist joint?