Effects of Core Decompression and Local Deferoxamine Injection on Clinical Outcomes and Revascularization of Lunate Carpal Bone in Kienböck‎ Disease: A Pilot Study

Avascular necrosis of the lunate or Kienböck‎ disease is a rare disorder with unknown etiology and challenging treatment. 

In this study, we evaluated the effects of local deferoxamine injection as an angiogenic molecule and core decompression to treat Kienböck‎ disease.

In a pilot clinical trial, 8 patients with stage I to IIIA of Kienböck‎ disease were treated with core decompression and local deferoxamine injection (0.5 mL 500 mg/mL). The outcome measures included wrist range of motions, pinch and grip strength, patient-rated ‎wrist/hand evaluation (PRWE), a short form of disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (Quick-DASH), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. The assessment of lunate revascularization was also done by T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. All measurements were done before the intervention and 3, 6, and 12 months after the intervention.

Wrist flexion, extension, ulnar and ‎radial deviation, and pinch and grip strength were continuously improved over the postoperative periods. These improvements were statistically significant. The mean final pinch and grip strength averaged 87.4% and 72.8% of the non-involved hand, respectively. PRWE, Quick-DASH, and VAS scores were also continuously and significantly improved over the study period. The lunate vascularization revealed a continuous improvement in 6(75%) patients.

Local deferoxamine injection in addition to core decompression could improve the radiologic and clinical outcomes of patients suffering from Kienböck‎ disease.