Palmaris longus tendon plugging and STTC arthrodesis for treatment of Kienbock's disease

Objective To report the results of treating Kienbock's disease by means of palmaris longus tendon plugging and STTC arhthrodesis. Methods 17 patients with Kienbock's disease were involved in this study. The necrosed lunate was excised with simutaneous palmaris longus tendon plugging and scaphoid trapezium trapezoid, scaphoid capitate arthrodesis. Results All patients were followed up for 14 ～ 58 months, with an average of 23.6 months. Relief of pain was obtained in mine cases. Seven patients experienced mild pain and one still requires daily analgexics to relieve the pain. Extension of the wrist was on average 46.4 % of the normal side and 95 % of the preoperative range of motion. Flexion was on average 56 % of the normal side and 65.4 % of the preoperative range of motion. The grip strength was 75 % of the normal side. Bony union of the STTC was observed in 16 cases. Stahl index was on average 0.49. Conclusions Palmaris longus tendon plugging and STTC fusion following lunate excision is an effective method to treat Kienbock's disease of stage Ⅲand Ⅳ.