Minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of kienböck’s disease

Abstract

Traditional surgical options for the treatment of Kienböck’s disease are not uniformly reliable and have the potential for complications and morbidity. To address these problems, investigators are exploring new, minimally invasive techniques. Core decompression of the lunate, the distal radius, and the distal ulna has shown promise in providing pain relief as well as limiting disease progression. Temporary STT pinning is an especially attractive option for adolescents. The utility of external fixation of the wrist in isolation appears limited, and is not currently recommended. Balloon lunatoplasty requires further investigation at this time to determine its effectiveness in Kienböck’s disease.