Purpose: Kienböck's disease is an unusual pathology with unknown aetiology within the pediatric population. Several treatment options have been described in the literature; however, there are neither large series nor homogeneous studies that have clarified which treatment is best. The aim of this study was to describe five cases in which definitive distal radius epiphysiodesis was performed as an alternative method to the classic distal radius shortening osteotomy in skeletally immature patients with Kienböck's disease.
Methods: The clinical charts and radiographs of four patients (five wrists) diagnosed as having Kienböck's disease and treated by definitive distal radius epiphysiodesis were reviewed.
Results: All patients were symptomatically free with full range of motion at 4.25 months (range, three to six months) after surgery. In all cases, shortening of the distal radius was achieved (p = 0.032).
Conclusions: This new technique is a simple, effective, and minimally invasive procedure with low morbidity and good clinical and radiological outcomes.