Arthroscopic assessment of Kienböck's disease

Arthroscopic examination was performed on 32 wrists of 32 patients with Kienböck's disease to relate the appearance of the intraarticular structures, particularly the articular cartilage, to the radiographic stage. The articular cartilage showed osteoarthritic changes in stage III, although this was not evident on plain radiographs. Cracking in the distal facet and flapping at the proximal facet of the lunate were identified as features of Kienböck's disease. The incidence of interosseous ligament tears was correlated with radiographically determined stage, whereas changes in triangular fibrocartilage were correlated with age and ulnar variance. Wrist arthroscopy is a useful staging tool for Kienböck's disease, supplying helpful information about the intraarticular pathoanatomy which can be used to guide patient management.