Radial shortening for Kienbock's disease

ABSTRACT

Seven patients with Kienbocks disease were treated with radial shortening procedure to remove compressive stress from the damaged lunate. After an average of one year follow-up, relief of pain was satisfactory and the postoperative motion of the wrist were moderately improved. No non-union at the site of the radial osteotomy. The procedure appears to help to maintain carpal height, prevent further collpase of the lunate, encourage consolidation of the - fragmented lunate and increase grip strength. It appears as preferable method for the treatment of kienbocks' disease with zero or positive variance