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Fusão Parcial do Pulso

Um plano de recuperação protegido após uma fusão parcial do punho (fusão capitolunar, geralmente com remoção do escafoide) para um punho desgastado, imobilizado até a consolidação óssea, em cerca de seis a oito semanas, seguido pela restauração progressiva de um arco de movimento do punho útil, mas deliberadamente reduzido, e da força de preensão.

Ilustração dos ossos do pulso mostrando o escafóide desgastado removido e os pequenos ossos do meio do pulso (capitato e lunato) fundidos, enquanto a articulação entre o lunato e o osso do antebraço (rádio) permanece livre para preservar algum movimento.
Na fusão parcial do punho, o escafóide desgastado é removido e o capitato é fundido ao lunato (uma fusão capitolunada); a articulação entre o lunato e o rádio é preservada intencionalmente, de modo que o punho mantém uma amplitude de movimento útil, ainda que reduzida. Cvpoucke / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Esta página foi traduzida automaticamente e ainda não foi verificada por um médico. A versão em inglês é a versão oficial.

Este protocolo orienta a sua recuperação após uma fusão parcial do punho (uma cirurgia que remove o osso escafoide desgastado e funde os pequenos ossos no centro do punho, mais frequentemente o capitato ao lunatum, numa fusão capitulunar) com o Dr. Kieran Hirpara no Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton. Começa com o seu programa de exercícios em casa, seguido pelo protocolo clínico estruturado escrito para o seu terapeuta da mão: traga esta página ou o seu PDF para a sua primeira sessão de terapia para que a sua reabilitação seja coordenada. O seu terapeuta da mão pode ajustar o plano dependendo da evolução da sua recuperação.

Se tiver alguma preocupação sobre a sua ferida após a cirurgia, entre em contacto com a clínica. É frequentemente útil tirar uma fotografia da ferida e enviá-la por e-mail para avaliação.

O que esperar

A fusão parcial do punho trata um punho desgastado (artrose) ao longo do trajeto que segue um problema antigo do escafoides: seja uma lesão do ligamento escafolunar (um punho "SLAC") ou uma fratura antiga do escafoides que não consolidou (um punho "SNAC"). O escafoides danificado é removido, e os ossos do punho médio são fundidos para que deixem de atritar. O Dr. Hirpara mais frequentemente funde o capitato ao lunatum (uma fusão capitulunar), por vezes incluindo os ossos vizinhos; quando o lunatum, capitato, triquetrum e hamatum são todos fundidos, isso é chamado de fusão de quatro ossos, e segue os mesmos princípios de recuperação.

A ideia central desta operação é que apenas uma parte do punho é fundida, não toda ela. A articulação entre o lunatum e o osso do antebraço (o rádio) é deliberadamente preservada. Essa articulação preservada é o que permite ao punho manter o movimento:

  • Fundir as superfícies desgastadas elimina a dor: esse é o objetivo principal, e é alcançado de forma consistente.
  • Manter a articulação rádio-lunar significa manter um movimento útil. A contrapartida é que o movimento fica reduzido: a maioria das pessoas termina com aproximadamente metade a dois terços da sua amplitude de flexão anterior, e força de preensão de cerca de três quartos do lado oposto. Este é um resultado normal e esperado (não uma complicação) e, para um punho doloroso e desgastado, geralmente é uma troca muito vantajosa.

Os ossos fundidos precisam de tempo para consolidar firmemente, tal como numa fratura. Durante as primeiras seis a oito semanas, o punho é mantido imobilizado num gesso ou talha enquanto isso acontece. Durante esse período, os dedos, o polegar e o antebraço são mantidos em movimento livre, mas o próprio punho é repousado. Uma vez que o cirurgião confirme nos raios-X que os ossos consolidaram, o movimento do punho e, em seguida, o fortalecimento são iniciados em etapas cuidadosas. Definir as suas expectativas desde o início (um punho confortável e útil, em vez de um totalmente móvel) é uma parte importante da recuperação.

Precauções e limitações

  • Mantenha o pulso imóvel no gesso ou tala até que o seu cirurgião confirme que a fusão cicatrizou (geralmente cerca de seis a oito semanas): os ossos devem consolidar antes de o pulso ser mobilizado.
  • Mantenha os dedos, o polegar e o antebraço em movimento desde o primeiro dia, mas NÃO mobilize o próprio pulso até que lhe seja autorizado.
  • NÃO force a pega, levante, empurre, puxe ou suporte peso através do pulso até que a fusão seja confirmada como sólida: isto protege o osso em consolidação e qualquer placa, parafusos ou grampos.
  • Espere uma amplitude de movimento final reduzida: este é o resultado planeado da fusão de parte do pulso, não um sinal de que algo correu mal.
  • Mantenha o gesso ou a curativo limpos e secos, e NÃO conduza enquanto estiver de gesso ou não conseguir controlar o volante com segurança.

Para a gestão da ferida, do edema e da cicatriz, consulte as orientações da prática sobre cuidados com a ferida.

Seus exercícios

Estes são os exercícios do seu material impresso. Inicie-os apenas conforme orientado pelo Dr. Hirpara e pelo seu terapeuta da mão, mantendo-se dentro da amplitude e dos limites que lhe foram indicados. Os exercícios iniciais mantêm os dedos, o polegar e o antebraço em movimento, sem perturbar a fusão em processo de cicatrização; o próprio punho permanece imóvel dentro do seu gesso ou taladeira. A mobilização do punho e o fortalecimento da preensão pertencem a fases posteriores e não devem ser iniciados até que o seu cirurgião confirme a consolidação óssea. Interrompa qualquer atividade que cause dor aguda no punho.

Seu protocolo clínico

O restante desta página é o protocolo clínico por fases para reabilitação após uma fusão parcial do punho (capitolunar ± excisão do escafoide; os mesmos princípios se aplicam à fusão de quatro ossos). Esta seção deve ser fornecida ao seu terapeuta da mão, e cada fase inicia-se com uma explicação em linguagem simples do que está ocorrendo. Ao contrário de um reparo de tendão, a construção aqui é óssea, e a progressão é condicionada pela consolidação radiográfica da fusão, não por um calendário fixo. Até que o cirurgião confirme a consolidação, o punho é imobilizado e apenas os dedos, o polegar e o antebraço são mobilizados; posteriormente, a amplitude de movimento do punho e, em seguida, a carga são restauradas, com um limite realista de aproximadamente 50–65% da flexão-extensão do lado contralateral e ~70–80% da força de preensão.

Antes do tratamento, verifique o relatório cirúrgico do paciente e confirme a fixação utilizada (placa circular/dorsal, parafusos compressivos sem cabeça, grampos ou fios de Kirschner) e se o escafoide foi excisado. NÃO inicie a mobilização do punho até que o cirurgião assistente confirme a consolidação radiográfica (tipicamente 6–8 semanas, às vezes mais tempo com fixação por parafusos ou grampos). Aconselhe o paciente desde a primeira visita de que o objetivo é um punho funcional e sem dor, com uma amplitude de movimento deliberadamente reduzida, e não mobilidade completa.

Fase I — imobilização protegida até a consolidação (semanas 0 a ~6–8)

A fusão está cicatrizando como uma fratura, portanto, o punho é mantido imóvel enquanto os ossos se unem. A mão e o antebraço são mantidos totalmente móveis para prevenir rigidez e aderência dos tendões, mas o punho não é movimentado.

Para o seu terapeuta da mão:

Educação e precauções - Punho imobilizado em gesso ou tala até que o cirurgião confirme a consolidação radiográfica (tipicamente 6–8 semanas) - Nenhum movimento ativo ou passivo do punho durante esta fase - Nenhum preensão, levantamento, empurrão, puxão ou apoio de peso através do punho operado - Estabeleça a expectativa desde o início: o movimento final será reduzido (a articulação radiolunar é preservada; a articulação mediocarpal é fundida)

Conduta - Ferida: curativos cirúrgicos conforme orientação; curativo volumoso/tala por ~10–14 dias, depois gesso de antebraço ou tala termoplástica; monitorar infecção - Edema: elevação acima do nível do coração, bombeamento suave da mão, gelo conforme necessário - Exercícios: movimento ativo completo dos dedos, polegar e ROM das articulações MCP/IP; pronação/supinação do antebraço; ROM suave do ombro e cotovelo; sem movimento do punho

Critérios para progressão - Consolidação radiográfica confirmada pelo cirurgião (não progredir apenas com base no calendário); ferida cicatrizada; edema controlado

Fase II — restauração da mobilidade do punho (após a consolidação, aproximadamente das semanas 6–8 até às 12)

Uma vez que o cirurgião confirme que a fusão está sólida, o punho é retirado do gesso e iniciam-se movimentos suaves do punho. A progressão é gradual; o paciente é lembrado de que a parte fundida não se moverá e que o arco de movimento alcançável será menor do que anteriormente.

Para o seu terapeuta da mão:

Avaliações - Amplitude de movimento (AM) ativa e passiva do punho (flexão/extensão, desvio radial/ulnar), rotação do antebraço, força de preensão basal, dor e inchaço, revisão da ferida/cicatriz

Educação e precauções - Iniciar AM ativa e ativa-assistida do punho dentro dos limites do conforto; transicionar para uma tala de punho removível para conforto/proteção entre as sessões - Continuar a evitar preensão forte, levantamento de cargas e apoio de peso através do punho até que seja autorizado para o fortalecimento - Reforçar a expectativa de redução do movimento (objetivo de ~50–65% do arco de flexão–extensão do lado contralateral)

Conduta - Exercícios: flexão, extensão, desvio radial e ulnar do punho ativos/ativos-assistidos; iniciar massagem cicatricial e dessensibilização assim que a ferida estiver totalmente cicatrizada; continuar AM completa dos dedos/polegar e rotação do antebraço; gestão do edema conforme necessário

Critérios para progressão - Arco de movimento do punho confortável e controlado dentro da faixa reduzida esperada; dor a diminuir; autorização do cirurgião para fortalecimento

Fase III — fortalecimento e retorno às funções (a partir de ~12 semanas)

Com a fusão consolidada e o movimento restaurado até seu limite funcional útil, o fortalecimento e a carga progressiva são iniciados e incrementados ao longo de semanas. O retorno ao trabalho manual e ao esporte é baseado em critérios.

Para o seu terapeuta da mão:

Avaliações - Força de preensão e pinça em comparação ao lado contralateral; resposta à dor/inchaço durante a carga; testes funcionais específicos para tarefas e ocupação

Educação e precauções - Iniciar fortalecimento progressivo de preensão e punho (massa de modelar, bola, depois resistência graduada) após liberação - Introduzir tarefas com carga e suporte de peso gradualmente; aumentar a intensidade ao longo de várias semanas, e não de uma só vez - Meta esperada: recuperação da preensão para aproximadamente ~70–80% do lado contralateral e um arco útil, sem dor e reduzido

Conduta - Exercícios: preensão progressiva e fortalecimento do antebraço/punho; simulação funcional e ocupacional graduada; manejo contínuo da cicatriz e manutenção da amplitude de movimento - Observar e encaminhar de volta ao cirurgião em caso de dor dorsal persistente no punho durante a extensão (possível impacto dorsal), suspeita de não união ou platô na recuperação - Considerar alta quando a força e a função forem adequadas para as necessidades diárias e ocupacionais do paciente

Critérios para retorno à carga / trabalho - Fusão consolidada, sem dor dentro do arco restaurado, preensão adequada para a tarefa; demandas manuais pesadas adiadas até ~4–6 meses e incrementadas gradualmente

Retornar ao trabalho e às atividades

O uso leve das mãos nas atividades diárias (comer, escrever, cuidados pessoais leves) é incentivado desde o início, dentro dos limites do conforto, desde que não sobrecarregue ou torça o punho. Como não deve conduzir enquanto o punho estiver em gesso ou incapaz de controlar o volante com segurança, planeie apoio para os transportes nas primeiras semanas; a condução só recomeça quando estiver sem o gesso e conseguir controlar o carro com confiança, conforme confirmado na sua consulta de acompanhamento.

A preensão, o levantamento de pesos e a carga através do punho só são permitidos após confirmação de que a fusão está sólida (normalmente após cerca de seis a oito semanas), sendo progressivamente intensificados. Pessoas com trabalho de secretariado ou leve geralmente retornam por volta dos três meses; o trabalho manual mais pesado só é retomado, geralmente, entre quatro e seis meses, de forma gradual. Durante todo o processo, lembre-se de que o objetivo é um punho confortável e funcional, com amplitude de movimento reduzida, avaliados pela sensação e pelo funcionamento do punho, sendo o ritmo definido pelo Dr. Hirpara e pelo seu terapeuta da mão, e não apenas pelo calendário.

Após o seu protocolo

Este protocolo complementa as orientações gerais de recuperação da clínica: consulte o manejo da dor pós-operatória, o cuidado com a ferida e o manejo da cicatriz. O plano em fases acima reflete as diretrizes publicadas de reabilitação após a fusão parcial do punho, e sua recuperação contínua é orientada individualmente pelo Dr. Hirpara e pelo seu terapeuta da mão, de acordo com a cicatrização e a evolução do seu punho.


Evidence & references

Partial Wrist Fusion — Procedure Outcomes & Post-operative Rehabilitation (Capitolunate / Four-Corner Arthrodesis with Scaphoid Excision)

Topic scope: post-operative rehabilitation after midcarpal partial wrist arthrodesis for scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) or scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC). The index procedure here is a capitolunate fusion (the capitate fused to the lunate, usually with excision of the worn scaphoid); the closely related four-corner fusion (lunate–capitate– triquetrum–hamate) follows the same rehabilitation principles. This is a bony arthrodesis, so the rehabilitation is a union-gated pathway: the mid-wrist is immobilised until the fusion consolidates, after which a deliberately reduced wrist arc and grip are restored.

Defining principle of the rehab here: a partial wrist fusion is a motion-preserving salvage. The arthritic midcarpal surfaces are fused to abolish pain, while the radiolunate joint is intentionally preserved to retain movement. The construct that needs protecting is healing bone (plate, headless screws, staples or K-wires across the fusion), not a soft-tissue repair — so progression is gated by radiographic union, not a calendar. Counselling the patient that the planned end-point is a pain-free, functional wrist with a reduced arc (~50–65% of normal flexion–extension, ~70–80% grip) is itself part of the treatment: the reduced motion is the intended trade-off, not a failure. The two principal branch points are the fixation method (which sets the immobilisation window and union risk) and whether scaphoid excision was performed (standard in the SLAC/SNAC setting).


A. PROCEDURE OUTCOMES (capitolunate / four-corner fusion for SLAC–SNAC)

Partial wrist fusion is a well-established, durable salvage for the SLAC/SNAC wrist. The dominant debate is which motion-preserving salvage (four-corner / capitolunate fusion vs proximal row carpectomy), not whether to operate; both reliably relieve pain at the cost of some motion.

  • Reliable pain relief with a useful but reduced arc. Across series, midcarpal fusion abolishes the painful midcarpal arthritis while preserving radiolunate motion. Typical results are roughly 50–65% of contralateral flexion–extension and ~70–80% of contralateral grip strength, with high rates of pain relief and return to work — the expected, planned trade-off of a partial fusion [Enna Hand Clin 2005; Strauch J Hand Surg Am 2011; Merrell J Hand Surg Am 2008; long-term series J Wrist Surg 2015]. Moderate (cohort/consensus).
  • Capitolunate fusion (± scaphoid excision) performs comparably to full four-corner fusion while fusing fewer joints, simplifying the construct. A systematic review of capitolunate arthrodesis and comparative work report comparable motion, grip and union to four-corner fusion, supporting it as a sound index choice [Dunn J Hand Surg Am 2020 (systematic review); lunocapitate series J Hand Surg Eur 2009; J Chin Med Assoc 2017]. Moderate.
  • A meta-analysis of two-, three- and four-corner constructs finds the number of fused columns does not materially change motion, grip, union or complications — biomechanically consistent with the radiolunate joint being the motion-determining segment [Hundepool J Hand Surg Am 2025 (SR/meta-analysis); Hernandez-Soria J Hand Surg Am 2016 (capitate-position biomechanics)]. Moderate (SR) + mechanistic.
  • Modern fixation is forgiving but union is not guaranteed. Circular dorsal plates, headless compression screws and nitinol staples all achieve consolidation in the great majority, with nonunion and dorsal impingement the characteristic failures to watch for [Merrell J Hand Surg Am 2008 (circular plate); Ahmady J Hand Surg Glob Online 2025 (nitinol staples)]. Moderate.

B. REHABILITATION / THERAPY EVIDENCE

The rehab questions are (1) how long to immobilise, (2) what gates the start of wrist motion, and (3) how to set the patient's expectation of reduced motion. The evidence and published surgeon protocols converge on a union-gated sequence: immobilise the wrist (mobilise the hand and forearm) for ~6–8 weeks, then restore a reduced arc, then strengthen.

  • Immobilise until radiographic union, not by the calendar. Because the construct is bony, wrist motion is withheld until the surgeon confirms consolidation — typically 6–8 weeks, longer with some screw/staple fixations. Published institutional protocols use a bulky dressing/splint for ~10–14 days, a short-arm cast to ~4–6 weeks, then a removable splint as motion begins. Moderate (consensus protocols).
  • Keep the hand and forearm fully mobile from day one. Immediate active finger, thumb and forearm rotation prevents stiffness and tendon adhesion without disturbing the fusion — the same glide-preserving logic used across hand rehab. Consensus.
  • Restore motion gradually after union, against a realistic ceiling. Once united, active and active-assisted wrist ROM is introduced; patients should be counselled that the fused midcarpal segment will not move and the achievable arc is smaller than pre-operatively (the radiolunate joint alone supplies wrist motion). Consensus + mechanistic (capitate-position biomechanics, Hernandez-Soria 2016).
  • Strengthen and load only once the fusion is solid. Grip and loaded/weight-bearing work begins after union and is built up gradually; heavy manual demands are deferred to ~4–6 months. Consensus.

Recovery trajectory (expected, evidence-anchored)

Phase Window Restraint Hand use / therapy focus Strength / load Notes
I — Immobilisation (union) Week 0 to ~6–8 Wrist immobilised (cast/splint) Full active finger, thumb & forearm motion; oedema control, elevation; no wrist motion None through the wrist Fusion knits like a fracture; progress is gated by radiographic union, not the calendar
II — Restoring wrist motion From union (~wk 6–8) to 12 Heavy-load avoidance; removable splint Begin active/active-assisted wrist flexion/extension & deviation; scar massage once healed No loaded grip yet Counsel the reduced-arc expectation (~50–65% of normal flexion–extension)
III — Strengthening & return From ~12 weeks (post-union) Restrictions lifted progressively Progressive grip/wrist strengthening; graded job simulation Grip recovers toward ~70–80% of the other side Desk work ~3 months; heavy manual ~4–6 months. Watch for dorsal impingement / nonunion

(Phase windows mirror the precautions in the patient protocol and published surgeon protocols; they are typical guides anchored to union, not trial-derived deadlines.)


C. KEY CONTROVERSIES / EVIDENCE QUALITY

  1. Capitolunate vs four-corner vs proximal row carpectomy (PRC). All three are accepted motion-preserving salvages for SLAC/SNAC. PRC tends to give a slightly larger arc and avoids fusion-specific complications (nonunion, dorsal impingement, hardware), while fusion may give marginally better grip and is preferred where capitate-head or proximal-capitate cartilage is compromised. Systematic reviews and a meta-analysis find no consistent superiority of one over the other; choice is individualised [Mulford J Hand Surg Eur 2009; J Hand Surg Am 2024 meta-analysis; Strauch J Hand Surg Am 2011]. Moderate (SR/meta-analysis of mostly observational data).
  2. Capitolunate vs full four-corner construct. Fusing fewer columns (capitolunate) simplifies the construct without clearly compromising motion, grip or union versus four-corner — consistent with the radiolunate joint being the motion-determining segment [Dunn 2020 SR; Hundepool 2025 meta-analysis; Hernandez-Soria 2016]. Moderate.
  3. When can wrist motion safely start? Union timing varies with fixation, and protocols differ on exact cast duration. The defensible position is surgeon-confirmed radiographic union gates wrist ROM rather than a fixed week number. Weak–moderate (consensus; protocol variation).
  4. Reduced motion is the plan, not a complication. The preserved radiolunate joint supplies a smaller arc by design; mislabelling the expected ~50–65% range as a poor result drives unnecessary dissatisfaction. Strong mechanistically; cohort-supported.
  5. Characteristic failures: nonunion and dorsal impingement. Both are recognised, fixation-related complications; persistent dorsal wrist pain on extension or a non-progressing fusion warrants surgical review rather than more therapy [Merrell 2008; Ahmady 2025; long-term series 2015]. Moderate.

D. EVIDENCE STRENGTH FLAGS (summary)

  • STRONG (mechanistic / well-supported): the reduced final arc is the planned consequence of preserving the radiolunate joint while fusing the midcarpal segment (capitate-position biomechanics); reliable pain relief from the fusion.
  • MODERATE: typical outcome envelope (~50–65% flexion–extension, ~70–80% grip); equivalence of capitolunate and four-corner constructs; no consistent superiority of fusion vs PRC (SR/meta-analysis of largely observational data); modern fixation achieves high union with defined nonunion / dorsal impingement risk.
  • WEAK / CONSENSUS: the specific union-gated immobilise → restore-motion → strengthen therapy sequence and exact phase timings (institutional/surgeon protocols, anchored to radiographic union rather than trial-derived).

CITATIONS

RAG corpus (180,000+ Orthopaedic articles)

  • Enna M, Hoepfner P, Weiss AC. Scaphoid excision with four-corner fusion. Hand Clin. 2005. DOI: 10.1016/j.hcl.2005.08.012
  • Dunn JC, Polmear MM, Scanaliato JP, et al. Capitolunate arthrodesis: a systematic review. J Hand Surg Am. 2020. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2019.10.007
  • Hundepool CA, Duraku LS, Quanjel TJ, et al. Two-, three-, or four-corner arthrodesis for midcarpal osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Hand Surg Am. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2023.04.018
  • Strauch RJ. Scapholunate advanced collapse and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse arthritis — update on evaluation and treatment. J Hand Surg Am. 2011. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2011.01.018
  • Merrell GA, McDermott EM, Weiss AC. Four-corner arthrodesis using a circular plate and distal radius bone grafting: a consecutive case series. J Hand Surg Am. 2008. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.02.001
  • Hernandez-Soria A, Das De S, Model Z, et al. The effect of capitate position on coronal plane wrist motion after simulated 4-corner arthrodesis. J Hand Surg Am. 2016. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2016.07.101
  • Ahmady AA, Zalzaleh M, Riedel BB. Midterm outcomes of four-corner fusion surgery using nitinol staples. J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2025.100805
  • Mulford JS, Ceulemans LJ, Nam D, Axelrod TS. Proximal row carpectomy vs four corner fusion for scapholunate (SLAC) or scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) wrists: a systematic review of outcomes. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2009. DOI: 10.1177/1753193408100954
  • Four-corner fusion versus proximal row carpectomy for scapholunate advanced collapse and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse wrist: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Hand Surg Am. 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2024.01.011
  • Long-term results of lunocapitate arthrodesis with scaphoid excision for SLAC and SNAC wrists. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2009. DOI: 10.1177/1753193409105683
  • Lunocapitate fusion with scaphoid excision for the treatment of scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse or scapholunate advanced collapse wrist. J Chin Med Assoc. 2017. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcma.2016.10.001
  • The long-term outcome of four-corner fusion. J Wrist Surg. 2015. DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1549277

Partial wrist fusion rehabilitation literature (protocols & guidance — basis for the union-gated phase structure)

  • University of Virginia Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Wrist Partial Fusion (4-Corner) Rehabilitation Guidelines. https://med.virginia.edu/orthopaedic-surgery/wp-content/uploads/sites/242/2024/09/Wrist-Partial-Fusion-4-corner.pdf
  • Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). Four-Corner Partial Wrist Fusion — Surgery Guide. https://www.ohsu.edu/sites/default/files/2020-12/Four-Corner%20Partial%20Wrist%20Fusion.pdf
  • Alaska Orthopedic Specialists. Four-Corner Fusion with Scaphoid Excision — Post-operative Protocol. https://www.akortho.com/wp-content/uploads/Four-Corner-Fusion-with-Scaphoid-Excision-1.pdf
  • Twin Cities Orthopedics (Olson). Scaphoid Excision 4-Corner Fusion Post-operative Protocol. https://www.toportho.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/olson-_4-Corner-Fusion-Protocol.pdf
  • The long-term outcome of four-corner fusion (open-access full text). PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4408128/

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Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Public License

By exercising the Licensed Rights (defined below), You accept and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Public License ("Public License"). To the extent this Public License may be interpreted as a contract, You are granted the Licensed Rights in consideration of Your acceptance of these terms and conditions, and the Licensor grants You such rights in consideration of benefits the Licensor receives from making the Licensed Material available under these terms and conditions.

Section 1 -- Definitions.

a. Adapted Material means material subject to Copyright and Similar Rights that is derived from or based upon the Licensed Material and in which the Licensed Material is translated, altered, arranged, transformed, or otherwise modified in a manner requiring permission under the Copyright and Similar Rights held by the Licensor. For purposes of this Public License, where the Licensed Material is a musical work, performance, or sound recording, Adapted Material is always produced where the Licensed Material is synched in timed relation with a moving image.

b. Adapter's License means the license You apply to Your Copyright and Similar Rights in Your contributions to Adapted Material in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Public License.

c. Copyright and Similar Rights means copyright and/or similar rights closely related to copyright including, without limitation, performance, broadcast, sound recording, and Sui Generis Database Rights, without regard to how the rights are labeled or categorized. For purposes of this Public License, the rights specified in Section 2(b)(1)-(2) are not Copyright and Similar Rights.

d. Effective Technological Measures means those measures that, in the absence of proper authority, may not be circumvented under laws fulfilling obligations under Article 11 of the WIPO Copyright Treaty adopted on December 20, 1996, and/or similar international agreements.

e. Exceptions and Limitations means fair use, fair dealing, and/or any other exception or limitation to Copyright and Similar Rights that applies to Your use of the Licensed Material.

f. Licensed Material means the artistic or literary work, database, or other material to which the Licensor applied this Public License.

g. Licensed Rights means the rights granted to You subject to the terms and conditions of this Public License, which are limited to all Copyright and Similar Rights that apply to Your use of the Licensed Material and that the Licensor has authority to license.

h. Licensor means the individual(s) or entity(ies) granting rights under this Public License.

i. NonCommercial means not primarily intended for or directed towards commercial advantage or monetary compensation. For purposes of this Public License, the exchange of the Licensed Material for other material subject to Copyright and Similar Rights by digital file-sharing or similar means is NonCommercial provided there is no payment of monetary compensation in connection with the exchange.

j. Share means to provide material to the public by any means or process that requires permission under the Licensed Rights, such as reproduction, public display, public performance, distribution, dissemination, communication, or importation, and to make material available to the public including in ways that members of the public may access the material from a place and at a time individually chosen by them.

k. Sui Generis Database Rights means rights other than copyright resulting from Directive 96/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 1996 on the legal protection of databases, as amended and/or succeeded, as well as other essentially equivalent rights anywhere in the world.

l. You means the individual or entity exercising the Licensed Rights under this Public License. Your has a corresponding meaning.

Section 2 -- Scope.

a. License grant.

1. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Public License, the Licensor hereby grants You a worldwide, royalty-free, non-sublicensable, non-exclusive, irrevocable license to exercise the Licensed Rights in the Licensed Material to:

a. reproduce and Share the Licensed Material, in whole or in part, for NonCommercial purposes only; and

b. produce, reproduce, and Share Adapted Material for NonCommercial purposes only.

2. Exceptions and Limitations. For the avoidance of doubt, where Exceptions and Limitations apply to Your use, this Public License does not apply, and You do not need to comply with its terms and conditions.

3. Term. The term of this Public License is specified in Section 6(a).

4. Media and formats; technical modifications allowed. The Licensor authorizes You to exercise the Licensed Rights in all media and formats whether now known or hereafter created, and to make technical modifications necessary to do so. The Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any right or authority to forbid You from making technical modifications necessary to exercise the Licensed Rights, including technical modifications necessary to circumvent Effective Technological Measures. For purposes of this Public License, simply making modifications authorized by this Section 2(a) (4) never produces Adapted Material.

5. Downstream recipients.

a. Offer from the Licensor -- Licensed Material. Every recipient of the Licensed Material automatically receives an offer from the Licensor to exercise the Licensed Rights under the terms and conditions of this Public License.

b. No downstream restrictions. You may not offer or impose any additional or different terms or conditions on, or apply any Effective Technological Measures to, the Licensed Material if doing so restricts exercise of the Licensed Rights by any recipient of the Licensed Material.

6. No endorsement. Nothing in this Public License constitutes or may be construed as permission to assert or imply that You are, or that Your use of the Licensed Material is, connected with, or sponsored, endorsed, or granted official status by, the Licensor or others designated to receive attribution as provided in Section 3(a)(1)(A)(i).

b. Other rights.

1. Moral rights, such as the right of integrity, are not licensed under this Public License, nor are publicity, privacy, and/or other similar personality rights; however, to the extent possible, the Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any such rights held by the Licensor to the limited extent necessary to allow You to exercise the Licensed Rights, but not otherwise.

2. Patent and trademark rights are not licensed under this Public License.

3. To the extent possible, the Licensor waives any right to collect royalties from You for the exercise of the Licensed Rights, whether directly or through a collecting society under any voluntary or waivable statutory or compulsory licensing scheme. In all other cases the Licensor expressly reserves any right to collect such royalties, including when the Licensed Material is used other than for NonCommercial purposes.

Section 3 -- License Conditions.

Your exercise of the Licensed Rights is expressly made subject to the following conditions.

a. Attribution.

1. If You Share the Licensed Material (including in modified form), You must:

a. retain the following if it is supplied by the Licensor with the Licensed Material:

i. identification of the creator(s) of the Licensed Material and any others designated to receive attribution, in any reasonable manner requested by the Licensor (including by pseudonym if designated);

ii. a copyright notice;

iii. a notice that refers to this Public License;

iv. a notice that refers to the disclaimer of warranties;

v. a URI or hyperlink to the Licensed Material to the extent reasonably practicable;

b. indicate if You modified the Licensed Material and retain an indication of any previous modifications; and

c. indicate the Licensed Material is licensed under this Public License, and include the text of, or the URI or hyperlink to, this Public License.

2. You may satisfy the conditions in Section 3(a)(1) in any reasonable manner based on the medium, means, and context in which You Share the Licensed Material. For example, it may be reasonable to satisfy the conditions by providing a URI or hyperlink to a resource that includes the required information.

3. If requested by the Licensor, You must remove any of the information required by Section 3(a)(1)(A) to the extent reasonably practicable.

4. If You Share Adapted Material You produce, the Adapter's License You apply must not prevent recipients of the Adapted Material from complying with this Public License.

Section 4 -- Sui Generis Database Rights.

Where the Licensed Rights include Sui Generis Database Rights that apply to Your use of the Licensed Material:

a. for the avoidance of doubt, Section 2(a)(1) grants You the right to extract, reuse, reproduce, and Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database for NonCommercial purposes only;

b. if You include all or a substantial portion of the database contents in a database in which You have Sui Generis Database Rights, then the database in which You have Sui Generis Database Rights (but not its individual contents) is Adapted Material; and

c. You must comply with the conditions in Section 3(a) if You Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 4 supplements and does not replace Your obligations under this Public License where the Licensed Rights include other Copyright and Similar Rights.

Section 5 -- Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liability.

a. UNLESS OTHERWISE SEPARATELY UNDERTAKEN BY THE LICENSOR, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, THE LICENSOR OFFERS THE LICENSED MATERIAL AS-IS AND AS-AVAILABLE, AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND CONCERNING THE LICENSED MATERIAL, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHER. THIS INCLUDES, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF TITLE, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, ABSENCE OF LATENT OR OTHER DEFECTS, ACCURACY, OR THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF ERRORS, WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR DISCOVERABLE. WHERE DISCLAIMERS OF WARRANTIES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN FULL OR IN PART, THIS DISCLAIMER MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

b. TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, IN NO EVENT WILL THE LICENSOR BE LIABLE TO YOU ON ANY LEGAL THEORY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE FOR ANY DIRECT, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, OR OTHER LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THIS PUBLIC LICENSE OR USE OF THE LICENSED MATERIAL, EVEN IF THE LICENSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES. WHERE A LIMITATION OF LIABILITY IS NOT ALLOWED IN FULL OR IN PART, THIS LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

c. The disclaimer of warranties and limitation of liability provided above shall be interpreted in a manner that, to the extent possible, most closely approximates an absolute disclaimer and waiver of all liability.

Section 6 -- Term and Termination.

a. This Public License applies for the term of the Copyright and Similar Rights licensed here. However, if You fail to comply with this Public License, then Your rights under this Public License terminate automatically.

b. Where Your right to use the Licensed Material has terminated under Section 6(a), it reinstates:

1. automatically as of the date the violation is cured, provided it is cured within 30 days of Your discovery of the violation; or

2. upon express reinstatement by the Licensor.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 6(b) does not affect any right the Licensor may have to seek remedies for Your violations of this Public License.

c. For the avoidance of doubt, the Licensor may also offer the Licensed Material under separate terms or conditions or stop distributing the Licensed Material at any time; however, doing so will not terminate this Public License.

d. Sections 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8 survive termination of this Public License.

Section 7 -- Other Terms and Conditions.

a. The Licensor shall not be bound by any additional or different terms or conditions communicated by You unless expressly agreed.

b. Any arrangements, understandings, or agreements regarding the Licensed Material not stated herein are separate from and independent of the terms and conditions of this Public License.

Section 8 -- Interpretation.

a. For the avoidance of doubt, this Public License does not, and shall not be interpreted to, reduce, limit, restrict, or impose conditions on any use of the Licensed Material that could lawfully be made without permission under this Public License.

b. To the extent possible, if any provision of this Public License is deemed unenforceable, it shall be automatically reformed to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable. If the provision cannot be reformed, it shall be severed from this Public License without affecting the enforceability of the remaining terms and conditions.

c. No term or condition of this Public License will be waived and no failure to comply consented to unless expressly agreed to by the Licensor.

d. Nothing in this Public License constitutes or may be interpreted as a limitation upon, or waiver of, any privileges and immunities that apply to the Licensor or You, including from the legal processes of any jurisdiction or authority.


Creative Commons is not a party to its public licenses. Notwithstanding, Creative Commons may elect to apply one of its public licenses to material it publishes and in those instances will be considered the “Licensor.” The text of the Creative Commons public licenses is dedicated to the public domain under the CC0 Public Domain Dedication. Except for the limited purpose of indicating that material is shared under a Creative Commons public license or as otherwise permitted by the Creative Commons policies published at creativecommons.org/policies, Creative Commons does not authorize the use of the trademark "Creative Commons" or any other trademark or logo of Creative Commons without its prior written consent including, without limitation, in connection with any unauthorized modifications to any of its public licenses or any other arrangements, understandings, or agreements concerning use of licensed material. For the avoidance of doubt, this paragraph does not form part of the public licenses.

Creative Commons may be contacted at creativecommons.org.