Clinical Outcome of Lateral Wedge Osteotomy of the Radius in Advanced Stages of Kienböck's Disease

BACKGROUND: Radius osteotomies showed favorable clinical outcome in Kienböck's disease. However, few articles have been published on the long-term outcome of lateral wedge osteotomy of the radius in patients with advanced stage Kienböck's disease. METHODS: Eleven patients with Lichtman stage IIIB/IV Kienböck's disease (group A; mean follow-up period, 86.1 months; range, 48 to 163 months) and 14 patients with Lichtman stage IIIA Kienböck's disease (group B; mean follow-up period, 85.1 months; range, 49 to 144 months) underwent radial wedge osteotomy between August 2004 and August 2012. Radiological changes of the lunate and radiocarpal joint were compared between two groups after osteotomy. The wrist flexion/extension angle, grip strength, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores were evaluated preoperatively and at the final follow-up. The Nakamura Scoring System (NSSK) was used for comprehensive understanding of radiological and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Nine patients of group A and 11 patients of group B showed radiological improvement in the lunate regarding sclerosis, cystic changes, or fragmentation. No patients showed progression of arthritic changes in radiocarpal and midcarpal joints. The wrist flexion/extension angle, grip strength, and DASH score were significantly improved in both groups after operation, but intergroup difference was not statistically significant at the final follow-up (p = 0.149, p = 0.267, and p = 0.536, respectively). The mean NSSK was 21.6 (range, 15 to 27) in group A and 21.8 (range, 15 to 26) in group B. CONCLUSIONS: Radial wedge osteotomy yielded excellent radiological and functional outcomes in advanced stages of Kienböck's disease and these results were comparable to those of Lichtman stage IIIA disease. This technique could be a useful alternative to salvage procedures in the treatment of Lichtman stage IIIB/IV Kienböck's disease without severe radiocarpal arthritis.

Radial Shortening or Radial Wedge Osteotomy for Kienbock's Disease / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Between 1989 and 1995, 14 patients with Kienbock's disease were treated with radial shortening or a radial wedge osteotomy. Clinical and radiological changes were classified according to Lichtman's stages and ulnar variance. Seven patients were male and seven were female. The mean age was 45 years, ranging from 29 to 64. The average follow-up period was 29 months, ranging from 12 to 61. Of the ten patients with negative ulnar variance who were treated by radial shortening, two cases were in Lichtman's stage II, six cases were stage III-a and two cases were stage III-b. Of the four patients with zero or positive ulnar variance who were treated by a radial wedge osteotomy, one case was stage 11 and three cases were stage III-a. The results were evaluated in terms of diminished wrist pain, increased grip strength, increased range of wrist motion and radiologic changes of the lunate. Wrist pain had diminished in all patients and grip strength had increased on average from 54% to 70% in the unaffected side. The range of arc of the wrist had increased on average from 59degrees preoperatively to 93 postoperatively. Sclerosis of the lunate improved in 43% of cases, cystic changes of the lunate improved in 57%, fragmentation of the lunate improved in 36% and the carpal height ratio increased in 50%. Of the 14 patients, 13 patients (93%) showed satisfactory results. One patient had an unsatisfactory result, according to Lichtman's criteria. These results suggest that radial shortening or a radial wedge osteotomy is recommended in patients with stage ll, III-a or III-b Kienb ck's disease, according to the ulnar variance. Early wrist pain reduction, increased range of motion and grip strength and improved avascularity of the lunate are all positive outcomes attainable with these treatment methods.