Between 1989 and 1995, 14 patients with Kienbock's disease were treated with radial shortening or a radial wedge osteotomy. Clinical and radiological changes were classified according to Lichtman's stages and ulnar variance. Seven patients were male and seven were female. The mean age was 45 years, ranging from 29 to 64. The average follow-up period was 29 months, ranging from 12 to 61. Of the ten patients with negative ulnar variance who were treated by radial shortening, two cases were in Lichtman's stage II, six cases were stage III-a and two cases were stage III-b. Of the four patients with zero or positive ulnar variance who were treated by a radial wedge osteotomy, one case was stage 11 and three cases were stage III-a. The results were evaluated in terms of diminished wrist pain, increased grip strength, increased range of wrist motion and radiologic changes of the lunate. Wrist pain had diminished in all patients and grip strength had increased on average from 54% to 70% in the unaffected side. The range of arc of the wrist had increased on average from 59degrees preoperatively to 93 postoperatively. Sclerosis of the lunate improved in 43% of cases, cystic changes of the lunate improved in 57%, fragmentation of the lunate improved in 36% and the carpal height ratio increased in 50%. Of the 14 patients, 13 patients (93%) showed satisfactory results. One patient had an unsatisfactory result, according to Lichtman's criteria. These results suggest that radial shortening or a radial wedge osteotomy is recommended in patients with stage ll, III-a or III-b Kienb ck's disease, according to the ulnar variance. Early wrist pain reduction, increased range of motion and grip strength and improved avascularity of the lunate are all positive outcomes attainable with these treatment methods.