With no Internet, and little or no resources from libraries, I had no choice but to return to the doctor and heed his advice. He had seen this before, and proceeded to surgically remove the Lunate and replace it with a plastic ( that's what I called it.) bone. That is when my real problems started, although the problems I did have, were in my opinion minor, they were problems I lived with until this year.

I have been told I have a higher than normal pain threshold, so maybe that made it easier for me. I kept various splints around for various jobs. ( a small one to dress up with, a large durable one for work, etc...) I had a vocation that would be considered industrial and needed to use both hands on a daily basis.

Most of the time I did not need to wear the splint, but should I "snap" my wrist or bang it against something, the pain could be excruciating. I would wear my splint for 1 - 2 weeks, and wait for the swelling to go down, take off the splint and wait for the next accident that would cause me to put it back on. ( I hated wearing the splint, and would only wear it when forced).

Although I had only 30 - 40% mobility in my left wrist, I thought I was doing quite well with it over all these years. I kept in touch with my surgeon for the first few years, then mostly, just my local doctor.

Well, through a stroke of luck ( I didn't think I was lucky at the time), my "old fashioned" doctor retired from practice. I was forced to find a new doctor. As a result a "newer", "younger" doctor became my regular. After seeing him a time or two for other reasons, I casually mentioned to him about my wrist, and if any new drugs were available to control swelling/pain, etc...That's when my real education began. That is when Kienbock's was first mentioned to me. He sent me to a specialist right in my hometown, who just happened to go to the finer schools. ( Yale, etc...) He was VERY up to date on my situation.

After x-rays and some manual dexterity tests, ( an MRI was not needed in my case) he told me I had waited too long to have this looked at, and there was no alternative, but to do a total bone fusion of the wrist. I did all the research, plus joined a Kienbock's Disease group on Yahoo, (it has been my biggest source of information), and I decided to go with the surgery (April of this 2002).

He intended to do a bone graft from my leg, and install a plate. I remember the surgery from my youth and was prepared for considerable pain, months in a cast, etc...

After the surgery, Doctor tells me, possibly the worst case he has seen, as the bones around the "plastic insert" had disentergrated so badly, there was nothing left to do a graft with (possibly due to the body's rejection of "plastic bone" that had been installed). He then did a procedure that I cannot name, where he scars the remaining bone, which helps it to grow, or strengthen the existing bone, and install a larger than normal plate with screws to hold it in place ( the total procedure is called Arthrodesis, and was created mostly for those who have crippling arthritis).

This was absolutly the best decision I have ever made!

Within 2 days after the surgery, I was off all anti-inflammatorys, no pain meds, no drugs of any kind. The pain had disappeared! My cast was on only about 3½ weeks. Then a splint for 4+ wks. I took my splint off permanently last week (June, 2002). I have been virtually pain free the entire time. I have been babying the left hand, but have "tested" it a time or two with no bad results.

So, after my long and boring story (feels like my life's story sometimes!), my advice to you is:

Do not wait to seek advice or a doctor who is familiar with Kienbock's Disease.

DO NOT be afraid to ask questions! There is no stupid question.

The surgery I had was an overnight surgery, and I thought it was quite easy.

an update from Ike, July 2002:

I will say if one could live without any movement of the wrist (has only been a minor inconvience so far...), total fusion should not be feared (at least not for the advanced case, which SHOULD be discussed with your doctor first and foremost!). It has been a blessing to me. ALL, and I do mean all, of the pain has simply dissappeared. I still lack some of the strength the doctor says I will regain, even though I now have more strength than I had before the surgery.