CONSERVATIVE VERSUS OPERATIVE TREATMENT FOR KIENBOCKS-DISEASE - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

In this retrospective study on Kienbock's disease, a comparison was ma de between 21 cases operated on by various techniques and 22 cases tre ated conservatively, with a mean follow-up of 65 months. Operative man agement of the disease did not show any superiority over conservative treatment. Moreover, surgery was responsible for a loss of mobility of 24%, and for a change in social activities in about a quarter of the patients, while grip strength was only slightly improved. Surgical ind ications for Kienbock's disease should be carefully considered, keepin g in mind their side-effects, and the relative benignity in some cases of the natural course of the disease.