Medium-term outcome of closed radial wedge osteotomy of the distal radius for Preiser disease with concomitant Kienböck disease

RATIONALE Idiopathic avascular necrosis of the scaphoid or lunate bone are known as Preiser disease and Kienböck disease, respectively. Although there are reports of avascular necrosis involving more than one carpal bone, concurrent idiopathic avascular necrosis of the scaphoid and lunate bones is rare, with only five cases reported in the English literature (including the two herein). Although the optimum treatment for Preiser disease with concomitant Kienböck disease has not been established, our cases underwent closed radial wedge osteotomy based on the evidence of satisfactory outcomes for treating Kienböck disease. We report the medium-term results of closed radial wedge osteotomy of the distal radius in two cases of Preiser disease with concomitant Kienböck disease. PATIENT CONCERNS We presented two patients with concomitant Preiser and Kienböck diseases. Although both smoked cigarettes, neither had any other risk factors; there was no history of trauma, although both women had jobs that required relatively heavy or repetitive manual labor. DIAGNOSES Two patients were diagnosed by radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging of the wrists. INTERVENTIONS A non-surgical strategy of splint immobilization and analgesia was not effective, and surgery was ultimately required. OUTCOMES Satisfactory medium-term results were achieved with closed radial wedge osteotomy of the distal radius in both cases. Although there was imaging evidence of progression of dorsal intercalated segmental instability deformity, neither of the patients was symptomatic and both declined salvage surgery. LESSONS We compare our cases and treatment strategy with others reported in the literature. Our cases suggest that closed radial wedge osteotomy of the distal radius is a safe and relatively straightforward means of treating patients with this rare combination of wrist disorders, and appears to obviate the need for more extensive salvage procedures.