Radial recession osteotomy for early Kienböck's disease

Between 1995 and 1999, ten patients with Lichtman stage II and III Kienböck's disease with negative ulnar variance underwent a joint-levelling radial recession osteotomy in our unit. The procedure was performed by the senior author in all cases. Eight patients were available for follow-up (average 31 months). Based on the Mayo Clinic modification of the Green wrist score, there were three excellent, three good and two fair results. Radiologically, there was improvement in lunate density in five of eight patients and evidence of healing in two of five patients with lunate fractures. We found that simple radial recession osteotomy for Lichtman stage II and III Kienböck's disease offers excellent early results.