The Use of Near Infrared Light Emitting Diode for Kienbock’s Disease: A Case Study

Kienbock’s disease is a relatively rare disorder where the blood supply to one of the small bones in the wrist is interrupted. The affected bone, the lunate, is one of eight small carpal bones that is in the middle at the base of the wrist and is responsible for wrist movement. This case study examines an otherwise healthy white 71-year-old female with extreme wrist pain, initially diagnosed by the provider as tiny ganglion cysts in the ulnar tissue but later appropriately diagnose Kienbock’s left wrist with ulnar minus. This case study will study the care of the wrist using a 940nm near-infrared light emitting diode.

Background: There is no cure for Kienbock’s disease, but prompt treatment can help preserve wrist function and relieve pain. Kienbock’s disease progresses through four stages: loss of blood flow, sclerosis of bone, breakdown of lunate bone, and finally the breakdown of the remaining bones of the hand [1]. The rate of progression is varied from case to case.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of the near infrared light emitting diode on inflammation and bone healing.

Materials and Method: This article investigates the role of near infrared light emitting diode on the sclerosis of the lunate carpal bone, stage one of Kienbock’s disease. A review of books, journals, PubMed, and physician notes

Discussion: Using the near infrared light emitting diode (NIR LED), healing rate has increased, a decrease in inflammation, bone regeneration, and pain has minimized. The NIR LED gallium arsenide can be used as an adjunctive therapy for reduction for this progressive disease.

Keywords: Kienbock; Osteonecrosis; Fusion; Arthroplasty; Sclerosis; Near Infrared light emitting diode; Phototherapy