Mid-term follow-up results of gradual capitate lengthening for the treatment of stage IIIA Kienbock’s disease

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the mid–term radiological and clinical results of gradual lengthening of capitate for the treatment of stage IIIA Kienbock’s disease. Methods We retrospectively reviewed nine patients (five females, four males) with Lichtman stage IIIA Kienbock’s disease who underwent gradual capitate lengthening at our hospital. Their clinical (range of motion (ROM), grip strength, visual analogue scale (VAS) value for pain, and Mayo wrist score (MWS)) and radiological outcomes (in terms of progression of arthritis and carpal height ratio) at the last follow-up were compared to the preoperative values. Results The mean age of the nine patients was 30 years (range: 20–38 years). The mean follow-up period was 73.8 (60–83) months. The average grip strength increased from 14.3 kg preoperatively to 22.3 kg at the last follow-up. The mean MWS increased from 58.8 preoperatively to 79.4 postoperatively. The mean VAS values decreased from the preoperative values: from 1.9 to 0.36 at rest, from 3.75 to 1.6 during mild effort, and from 5.35 to 3 during severe effort. The average carpal height ratio changed from 0.38 preoperatively to 0.53 postoperatively. None of the patients had any arthritic changes in their wrists. Conclusion Gradual lengthening of capitate offers satisfactory mid-term results for treating stage IIIA Kienbock’s disease.