THE EARLY HISTORY OF ARTHROPLASTY OF THE WRIST - FROM AMPUTATION TO TOTAL WRIST IMPLANT

During the past 3 decades implant arthroplasty of the destroyed, wrist has become a reliable and satisfying procedure. However, the first to tal wrist replacement was performed in Berlin as early as 1890. This p aper describes the history of resection and interposition arthroplasty of the wrist leading to the first total wrist implant arthroplasty pe rformed by Themistocles Gluck. An overview of recent designs is given, and the relevant historical cases are reported.