[The value of silastic prostheses in Kienböck's disease]

Eight patients underwent silicon replacement arthroplasty for treatment of Kienböck's disease between 1980 and 1984. Seven patients were available for a clinical and radiological ten-year follow-up control. A three-stemmed arthrodesis by arthrosis was done on one patient. Subjective results were good, although a reduction of one third of the mobility and strength of the wrist was noticed. Erosive osteolysis, carpal instability, radiocarpal arthrosis and a 36% reduction of the initial height of the implants was seen on the X-rays. The lytic lesion represents a progressive silicone particle-wear synovitis which threatens the future of the carpus. Nowadays, this kind of arthroplasty no longer has its place in the treatment of Kienböck's disease.