Kienböck’s Disease of the Lunate

Due to its crescentic shape, the lunate was designated its name from Latin word lunatus (“crescent-shaped”) or luna (“moon”). Osteonecrosis of the lunate, also known as Kienböck’s disease, was first described in 1910 by an Austrian radiologist, Robert Kienböck. Many studies have since advanced our knowledge of this disease, but the precise pathophysiology is still unclear. In this chapter, we will discuss several theories of etiology, clinical evaluation, imaging, and the latest treatment options.