$Unique_ID{BRK03902}
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$Title{Kienboeck Disease}
$Subject{Kienboeck Disease Lunatomalacia Osteochondrosis of the Lunate Bone
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Sudeck's Atrophy Juvenile Osteoporosis }
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Copyright (C) 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

604:
Kienboeck Disease

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Kienboeck Disease) is
not the name you expected.  Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.

Synonyms

     Lunatomalacia
     Osteochondrosis of the Lunate Bone

Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:

     Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
     Sudeck's Atrophy
     Juvenile Osteoporosis

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.

Kienboeck Disease is an acquired bone disorder.  Abnormalities of the
lunate bone in the wrist develops following an injury or inflammation.
Recurrent pain and stiffness occur in conjunction with thickening, swelling
and tenderness in soft tissue overlying the lunate bone.  The range of motion
in the wrist may become limited.

Symptoms

Kienboeck Disease is characterized by degenerative changes in the lunate bone
of the wrist.  Softening, deterioration, fragmentation or compression of the
affected bone can occur.  These changes may produce pain, swelling,
tenderness, thickening and/or stiffness in the overlying tissues of the
wrist.  The range of motion may become restricted.  Healing occurs through
formation of new bone in some cases.

Causes

Kienboeck Disease is caused by inflammation or injury of the wrist.

Affected Population

Kienboeck Disease usually begins during childhood and seems to affect females
more often than males.

Related Disorders

Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Kienboeck
Disease.  Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition caused by compression of peripheral
nerves in the wrist, affecting one or both hands.  It is characterized by a
sensation of numbness, tingling, burning and/or pain in the hand and wrist.
Persons affected by this disorder may be awakened at night with the feeling
that the hand has "gone to sleep".  Various other diseases may occur in
conjunction with this condition.  With timely treatment, the prognosis in
most cases is favorable.  (For more information on this disorder, please
choose "Carpal Tunnel" as your search term online.)

Sudeck's Atrophy, also known as post-traumatic osteoporosis, is marked by
an acute atrophy of the bones.  The wrist and ankle bones are most commonly
affected, following a slight injury such as a sprain.

Juvenile Osteoporosis is marked by a porous condition or atrophy of bone
tissue beginning before puberty.  The exact cause has not been identified.
This condition can lead to pain or fractures in many bones of the body
including the wrist.  Spontaneous remission may occur within several years.

Therapies:  Standard

The treatment of Kienboeck's Disease may involve surgery on the lunate bone.
Arthroscopic, CT scan and/or x-ray imaging may be used for diagnosis.  If
inflammation of the wrist has occurred, drug treatment may be recommended.
Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive.

Therapies:  Investigational

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
April 1989.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
current information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Kienboeck Disease, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     (203) 746-6518

     The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Information Clearinghouse
     Box AMS
     Bethesda, MD  20892
     (301) 495-4484

References

EXCISION OF THE LUNATE IN KIENBOECK'S DISEASE.  RESULTS AFTER LONG-TERM
FOLLOWUP:  H. Kawai, et al.; J Bone Joint Surg [Br] (March 1988, issue 70(2)).
Pp. 287-292.

ULNA-MINUS VARIANCE AND KIENBOECK'S DISEASE:  P.A. Nathan, et al.; J Hand
Surg (September 1987, issue 12(5 pt 1)).  Pp. 777-778.