Silicone implant arthroplasty in Kienböck's disease.

Fifty-five patients with malacia of the carpal lunate treated by Swanson's silicone implant arthroplasty were reexamined. The follow-up period averaged 3 years. The operation had a favorable effect on pain, but the range of motion and the grip strength remained impaired. Arthrosis progressed in half the cases, and there were five dislocations of the implant and 11 cases of cystic changes of carpal bone.