Last month I was told I have Kienbock’s disease. What is this, and what causes it?

Over 90 years ago, Dr. Kienbock described a wrist problem that is now better understood. In the center of the wrist is a bone called the lunate (pronounced “loon-ate”).


Injury or a break in this bone can stop the blood supply to the bone. When this happens, the bone can start to die. Wrist pain and loss of wrist motion are the two most common symptoms.