Kienbock’s disease

or avascular necrosis is a wrist disorder. People suffering from this disease suffer from the death of the

lunate bone

that exists near the wrist. This happens because of the lack of proper blood supply to the lunate bone which eventually leads to its death (avascular necrosis). Thus, one can say that

avascular necrosis of the lunate is called Kienbock’s disease.

Causes of Kienbock’s Disease:

As mentioned above, the loss of blood supply to the bones is what causes the disease. But, what actually interrupts the blood flow to the lunate is quite unknown.

• A fall on the wrist or a traumatic injury to the wrist could be a cause. Any event that causes venous congestion or arterial disruption.
• Normally, there are two vessels that supplying blood to the lunate bone, but in some, there may be only one vessel. This is also a factor that can lead to the disease.
• Adult males between the ages 20-45 are known to suffer the most from this wrist disorder.

Symptoms:

The following are the signs and symptoms of this wrist disease-

• gradual wrist pain at the base of the hand
• swollen and stiff wrist
• restricted motion of the wrist due to stiffness
• tenderness over the affected region
• pain while trying to rotate the hand (upwards)

Stages of the Disease:

This disease is a progressive one that goes through five stages before it leads to wrist arthritis.

• In the 0th stage, the symptoms resemble that of a sprain.
• In the 1st stage, an X-ray would reveal fracture.
• In the 2nd stage, the lunate bone starts hardening before it eventually dies.
• In the 3rd stage, the dead lunate collapses and fragments.
• In the 4th stage, the surrounding bones are also affected.

Treatment:

Depending on the stage of the

Kienbock’s disease

, doctors would choose between surgical and non-surgical options to restore the interrupted blood supply to the lunate bone.

Non-surgical options include splinting and NSAIDs. There are many surgical options available depending on the severity of the disease. A permanent cure for the disease cannot be guaranteed though.