Abstract
Background and Purpose Wrist swelling is a frequent clinical manifestation of Kienböck's disease, but no
study has reported the site and pathology of wrist swelling in this disease. The aim
of this study is to elucidate the site and pathology of wrist swelling in Kienböck's
disease.
Materials and Methods Dorsal and palmar soft tissue thicknesses of the wrist were measured on standard
lateral radiographs of the wrist in 26 patients with Kienböck's disease and 30 subjects
without intra-articular lesion. Axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) views were
examined to detect the site of swelling. The dorsal capsular ligament in three patients
with Kienböck's disease underwent histological examination.
Results Radiographic study confirmed dorsal wrist swelling in 24 of 26 (92%) patients examined
compared with the contralateral unaffected wrists. MRI demonstrated thickening of
the dorsal capsular ligament and extensor layer with synovial proliferation. Histological
examination revealed nonspecific chronic inflammation.
Conclusion Dorsal wrist swelling in Kienböck's disease is a common manifestation and constitutes
a part of pathology of Kienböck's disease, although further study is required to clarify
the relation between wrist swelling and etiology of Kienböck's disease.
Level of Evidence This is a Level III study.
Keywords
wrist swelling - Kienböck's disease - inflammation - capsulitis - synovitis
