The Wrightington Classification of Rheumatoid Wrist X-Rays: A Guide to Surgical Management

We have reviewed the pre-operative radiological appearances, the type of operation performed and the results of surgery of 234 wrists in 179 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Based on this, a classification of X-rays of the rheumatoid wrist is described. It is designed to provide practical guidance to the surgeon who is planning surgery in a patient with rheumatoid disease. The surgical choices at each stage of the disease are briefly discussed.