Concomitant avascular necrosis of the lunate and proximal pole of the scaphoid in a thalassemia minor patient

Abstract

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of multiple carpal bones is a very rare condition. This case report presents a patient with concomitant AVN of the lunate and proximal pole of the scaphoid that had led to severe joint space narrowing and degenerative arthritis in the radiocarpal and distal radioulnar joints (DRUJs). She was known to have thalassemia minor hemoglobinopathy. Wrist arthrodesis and distal ulna hemiresection-interposition arthroplasty (Bowers technique) for a DRUJ were offered and performed. The patient was satisfied with the clinical outcomes.

Keywords

• arthrodesis
• avascular necrosis
• bowers technique
• kienbock's disease
• lunate bone
• scaphoid bones
• thalassemia
• wrist