Aseptic Necrosis of the Trapezoidal Bone -A Case Report-

Abstract

We experienced a very rare case of aseptic necrosis of the trapezoidal bone. A 25 year-old man, a mechanic, was referred to our clinic in June 1990 with a 6-month history of pain in the dorsal wrist. He was diagnosed as having aseptic necrosis of the trapezoidal bone by plain X-ray, tomography, ^99mTc bone scintigraphy and MRI. He was treated by 2nd CMj arthrodesis with bone graft leading to relief of his pain and recovery of grip power from 50% to 80% against the uninvolved wrist. One possible cause of his osteonecrosis was change of force caused by repetitive radial and ulnar wrist flexion and subsequently added obstruction of the dorsal nutrient vessel of the trapezoidal bone.