Kienböck Disease and Carpal Coalitions: A Potential Correlation.

ABSTRACT

Kienböck disease, or lunate avascular necrosis, can lead to chronic wrist pain and instability. Its etiology appears to be multifactorial including variations in adjacent anatomical structures, interrupted blood supply, and trauma. Capitate-hamate fusion is the second most commonly diagnosed carpal coalition and not treated unless symptomatic. Coalitions may alter the wrist mechanics depending on their extent. No prior reports have associated Kienböck disease with capitate-hamate coalition. We present 2 cases with congenital capitate-hamate fusion and lunate AVN.