Arthroscopic Management of Kienböck Disease

Abstract

Wrist arthroscopy represents the most recent development in the diagnosis and treatment of Kienböck disease. Through direct visualization of lunate and adjacent carpal articulations, a more accurate diagnosis can be obtained and, ultimately, a more precise treatment decision. Treatments that are based on bypassing, fusing, or excising "nonfunctional" articulations can be done with less morbidity than traditional open techniques by using arthroscopy. Given the minimal capsular and soft tissue scarring, this potentially improves early pain and functional recovery. Although technically demanding, long-term outcomes studies have shown that the benefits of an arthroscopic approach may be worth the learning curve.

Keywords: Carpal collapse; Carpal instability; Kienböck disease; Lunate avascular necrosis; Wrist arthritis; Wrist arthroscopy.