Stages of lunate malacia



The disease can be divided into 5 stages (according to Lichtmann / Decoulx). Each individual stage has a different "healing option" or each stage involves a different method of treatment. The classification is based on changes in the native x-ray and magnetic resonance tomogram before and after administration of contrast medium. The classifications have been expanded as far as possible with their own partial translations / explanations for laypeople:

TIP:

If you yourself have had a painful wrist for a long time and are repeatedly sent home and put off with the result of "tendinitis", insist that a simple X-ray is NOT taken (if it has already been done - otherwise insist on an X-ray!), But a so-called MRI or MRT is done. This is a different type of "X-ray image" (this works without X-rays and does not only refer to the bones, see technical terms), with the help of which a lunate malacia can be detected at an early stage - even if NOTHING can be seen on an X-ray image! - In order to absolutely rule out lunate malacia or to diagnose it, an MRI with contrast agent is necessary.