Five cases of stage IIIB or IV Kienböcks disease were treated by scaphocapitate arthrodesis and tendon ball implantation. Three were male and two female, with age at operation ranging from 36 years to 64 years with an average of 50 years. Four patients were categorized according to Lichtmans criteria as being in stage IIIB and one in IV. The follow-up period ranged from four months to three years. Postoperative wrist pain decreased in all. Grip strength improved from an average of 12.3kg to 22.6kg. The postoperative range of motion of the wrist joint increased from 49.8° to 64.0°.
