The Effects of Radial Core Decompression on Lunate Kinematics

Kienbock’s disease is an avascular necrosis of the lunate bone in the wrist [1]. Current early-stage treatment techniques include joint leveling procedures, such as radial shortening and ulnar lengthening. These techniques serve to unload the radiolunate joint and redistribute compressive loads to the radioscaphoid joint [2]. Additionally, core decompression of the distal radius and ulna, first introduced by Illarramendi [3], and has been found clinically effective in improving early stage Kienbock’s disease. Clinical studies have since found radial core decompression (RCD) to be as effective as performing the procedure on both forearm bones [4]. However, there have been no biomechanical studies characterizing the changes in wrist kinematics following a RCD. The purpose of this study is to determine the changes in lunate motions following a RCD.