DESCRIPTIONS of total arthrodesis of the wrist frequently appear in the literature; this is the standard accepted procedure for many conditions. It can be done in various ways and when successful, provides a painless, stable, immobile wrist. However, in patients with certain afflictions of the wrist; some motion may be desirable even if some strength must be sacrificed. Surgical arthrodesis confined to the small bones of the wrist relieves pain, provides stability, and preserves some motion in many of these cases; this seems even more plausible when the numerous accounts of congenital carpal fusion are reviewed. Congenital Intercarpal Fusion Perusal of the English literature exposes many books,1-3 articles,4-12 and reports13-26 on congenital carpal bone fusion. The foreign literature on the subject also is extensive. Human beings who have congenital carpal fusions have normal wrists for all functional purposes. None of the articles reviewed mentioned symptoms or disability