[Long-term results of the Swanson prosthesis for the treatment of lunate osteomalacia].

From 1972 to 1982 a silicone implant arthroplasty was performed in 18 patients with Kienböck's disease grade III. In May 1988 all patients had a clinical and radiological re-examination. In the course of time reoperations were performed in 4 patients because of (sub)luxation of the prosthesis. Because of this operation most of the patients had less pain and retained an acceptable function of the wrist. Influence on working circumstances had been considerable in 8 patients. One patient received a disability pension because of this disease. Radiological examination often revealed increased degenerative changes in carpo-radial and intercarpal joints as well as proximal migration of the capitate. There was no clear relationship between residual complaints and function at the follow-up examination and the radiological findings.