Arthroscopic Management of Kienböck Disease.

Hand Clin · Nov 2022 · Review

Wagner ER, Graf AR

Emory University, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Division of Upper Extremity Surgery

Hand & Upper Extremity

SUMMARY — THE REDUCTIONThis review describes how wrist arthroscopy improves diagnostic accuracy and enables less invasive, lower-morbidity treatment options for Kienböck disease compared with open surgery.
Abstract, as published

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.

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