Arthropathy of the wrist in a patient with diabetic neuritis

Rapid Spontaneous Total Fusion of Neuropathic Arthropathy of the Wrist After Limited Intercarpal Arthrodesis: A Case Report and Brief Literature Review

Background

Previous reports on the treatment of neuropathic arthropathy of the wrist were generally conservative, with few case reports of treatment with osteoarticular surgery.

Case Presentation

A 25-year-old right-handed male complained of unpainful swelling of the dorsal aspect of his right wrist for 3 years. He was at that time diagnosed with synovitis and radiocarpal arthritis. The patient underwent a partial Four-Corner Arthrodesis and Synoviectomy to preserve motor function. Over the next 2 months, his right wrist also developed painful redness, with progressive swelling and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis arthritis, and infectious diseases were ruled out in this case. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicated that he had Chiari II syringomyelia so the patient was eventually diagnosed with destructive neuropathic arthropathy (syringomyelia). After 2 months of conservative treatment, the patient’s right wrist spontaneously and completely fused and the pain disappeared.

Conclusion

Neuropathic arthropathy of the wrist is a rare but clinically significant disease due to its effect on the function of the active limb. Surgeons should rule out a diagnosis of it when treating patients with wrist swelling and osteoarticular abnormalities, otherwise, limited intercarpal arthrodesis should not be taken as a treatment option. Inappropriate partial surgery is likely to lead to rapid total fusion of neuropathic arthropathy of the wrist.

The radiological residua of healed diabetic arthropathies

Diabetic arthropathy is a relatively rare manifestation of neuropathic disease, occurring in fewer than 5% of cases. Abnormalities of this type are confined largely to the small joints of the feet, although the larger joints of the lower limbs and the spine occasionally are affected. Some lesions, particularly in the feet, repair spontaneously, leaving radiological residua sufficiently characteristic to prompt suspicion of an unrecognised diabetic state. These include deformity of the head of the second metatarsal (akin to a Freiberg lesion), shortening of the great toe, painless deforming arthrosis of the knee, and ankylosis of interphalangeal joints. In the presence of these signs the patient should be interrogated concerning diabetes and blood sugar estimates, with provocation of necessary, obtained. Should such a diagnosis be sustained, appropriate protective measures may be undertaken to avoid a relapse of the arthropathy.