Radiographic Progression of Kienböck Disease: Radial Shortening Versus No Surgery

Purpose The natural course of the pathophysiology of Kienbock disease is uncertain. Shortening of the radius is believed to modify the pathophysiology by addressing mechanical influences on the lunate. The aim of this study was to compare the radiographic progression of Kienbock disease among patients who had radial shortening osteotomy and patients who had no surgical treatment, with a minimum 1-year interval between radiographs. Methods Among 207 patients with Kienbock disease, we included all 48 eligible patients who had either radial shortening osteotomy or nonsurgical treatment and 2 sets of wrist radiographs available a minimum of 1 year apart. We compared changes in carpal height ratio, Stahl index, and carpal angles between the 2 sets of radiographs and between radial shortening osteotomy and nonsurgical treatment. Results We found, on average, a small decrease in the carpal height ratio and the Stahl index in patients who did and did not have surgery, with no differences between the 2 groups. Nearly half of the patients had no decrease in the carpal height ratio and/or the Stahl index. Conclusions Radiographic progression of Kienbock over 1 year or more seems slight on average regardless of treatment. Future research might address the probability of and factors associated with radiographic progression of Kienbock disease. Type of study/level of evidence Prognostic IV.