PROXIMAL ROW CARPECTOMY. COMPERATIVE STUDY OF RESULTS IN KIENBOCK’S DISEASE AND SCAPHOLUNATE ADVANCED COLLAPSE

Abstract

Proximal Row Carpectomy (PRO has been used as an alternative treatment for advanced radiocarpal arthrosis and carpal collapse. Its use has been recommended for Kienbock’s disease, chronic scaphoid nonunion and scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) deformity.

Materials – Methods: Twenty-three patients were divided into two groups: group 1, consisting of patients with Kienbock’s disease (10 patients), and group 2, consisting of patients with scapholunate advanced collapse (13 patients). The average age was 51 years (range 27–69) for group 1, and 45 years (range 29–57) for group 2. The average follow-up was 30 months for Kienbock’s disease (range, 23–49 months) and 31 months for SLAC deformity of the wrist (range, 24–51 months). Pre-operative staging was performed on all patients utilizing Lichtmann’s (Lichtmann and Degnan, 1993) classification for Kienbock’s disease and Watson’s (Watson and Ballet, 1984) classification for scapholunate advanced collapse.

The procedure was performed as described by Jorgansen (1969) utilizing a dorsal midline approach between the third and fourth dorsal compartments. Styloidectomy, preserving the radiocapitate ligament was performed in 7 out of the 23 patients (5 Kienbock’s and 2 SLAC wrist’s patients). Posterior Interosseous Nerve neurectomy was performed in 2 out of the 10 patients with Kienbock’s disease. Results: Statistically significant differences were noted between the Kienbock’s disease group and the SLAC wrist group (p=0.0023). Of the patients who underwent PRC for Kienbock’s disease 9 of 10 patients reported moderate to severe pain at the final follow-up visits. In the scapholunate advanced collapse group, 2 out of 13 patients demonstrated moderate or severe pain. It was noted that the patients in the SLAC wrist group lost less motion overall than those in the Kienbock’s dis ease group (p=0.00l 5). It was noted in the Kienbock’s disease group that at final follow-up the operated hand was weaker than preoperative (p=0.022). In the scapholunate advanced collapse group there was improvement of postoperative grip strength.

Conclusion: We currently recommend the use of wrist arthroscopy as an adjunct to determine the status of the lunate articular surface in Kienbock’s disease, before performing a proximal row carpectomy. Our results indicate that despite only minor chondromalacia of the capitate articular surface and lunate facet of the radius, the use of PRC in Kienbock’s has not been rewarding.