Definition and Classifications of Kienbock Disease in the Past 100 Years: A Review of the Evidence

Mazaher Ebrahimian; Mir Mansour Moazen Jamshidi; Behzad Enayati; Amir Reza Mafi; Amir Hosein Mafi; Alireza Moharrami

doi:10.18502/jost.v9i4.13929

Mazaher Ebrahimian Resident, Department of Orthopedics, Imam Khomeini Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mir Mansour Moazen Jamshidi Hip and Pelvic Surgery Fellowship, Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
Behzad Enayati Hand Surgery Fellowship, Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Amir Reza Mafi General Practitioner, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Amir Hosein Mafi Resident, Department of Orthopedics, Imam Khomeini Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Alireza Moharrami Resident, Department of Orthopedics, Imam Khomeini Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jost.v9i4.13929

Keywords: Kienbock Disease; Classification; Lunate Bone; History

Abstract

Kienbock disease (KD) was described by Robert Kienbock in 1910 as osteomalacia of the lunate. A century has passed since the first description of KD, and numerous theories, classifications, and treatments have been published for achieving the best outcomes for this disease, but the treatments remain controversial among surgeons. Various classifications have been proposed for KD based on radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), arthroscopy, and morphology from 1947 to 2017. Recently, the pioneers of KD (Lichtman and Bain) proposed a new classification based on all the previous classifications (radiography, MRI, and arthroscopy). This classification seems to be the best evaluation and treatment method for KD. We recommend using this new classification for the assessment of KD.