A case demonstrates favorable outcomes from proximal row carpectomy in a young patient with severe wrist pain, indicating individualized treatment approaches.
Case: A 17-year-old right-hand dominant boy presented with severe, progressive wrist pain refractory to conservative treatment. Imaging confirmed Stage IIIB Kienböck disease with lunate collapse and fixed scaphoid rotation. Despite his young age and advanced stage, proximal row carpectomy was selected after shared decision-making to preserve motion and rapidly relieve pain. At the 2-year follow-up, the patient was pain-free, had full wrist motion and strength, and returned to competitive basketball. Conclusion: This case highlights that, in carefully selected adolescents, proximal row carpectomy can achieve excellent outcomes, challenging traditional age-based and stage-based contraindications and emphasizing individualized, patient-centered surgical decision-making.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Aoun et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: