Abstract
BACKGROUND: Idiopathic avascular necrosis of the lunate is known as Kienböck's disease and that of the scaphoid is known as Preiser's disease. Because the prevalence of coexisting Kienböck's and Preiser's diseases is very low, standardized stages of disease and treatments are not established. CASE PRESENTATION: We report coexisting avascular necrosis of the scaphoid and lunate in a 68-year-old woman with no history of steroids or other risk factors. We treated her with proximal row carpectomy with capsular interposition technique. A distal-based dorsal capsular flap was prepared and repaired the palmar capsule. At the last follow-up, she had no pain and had gained improved range of wrist motion. There was no arthritic change at the newly formed radiocapitate joint. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of collapsed lunate and scaphoid with avascular necrosis, the proximal row carpectomy procedure has an advantage. Proximal row carpectomy with dorsal capsular interposition can be performed when the lunate or scaphoid cannot be saved. Arthritic changes of the capitate head and distal radius lunate facet can be covered with the dorsal capsule.