A systematic review of the etiopathogenesis of Kienbock's disease and a critical appraisal of its recognition as an occupational disease related to hand-arm vibration.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We systematically reviewed etiological factors of Kienböck's disease (osteonecrosis of the lunate) discussed in the literature in order to examine the justification for including Kienböck's disease (KD) in the European Listing of Occupational Diseases.

Methods

We searched the Ovid/Medline and the Cochrane Library for articles discussing the etiology of osteonecrosis of the lunate published since the first description of KD in 1910 and up until July 2012 in English, French or German. Literature was classified by the level of evidence presented, the etiopathological hypothesis discussed, and the author's conclusion about the role of the etiopathological hypothesis. The causal relationship between KD and hand-arm vibration was elucidated by the Bradford Hill criteria

SUBMITTER: Stahl S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3559259 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature