Wrist Arthroscopy

Wrist arthroscopy is a minimally invasive or keyhole procedure that facilitates the best way of directly looking at the wrist injury or pathology and repairing it through a small fiber optic instrument called arthroscope. Arthroscopy allows the surgeon to see inside the joint that is causing pain, clicking sound or swelling without making large incisions into the muscle and tissue.

Procedure

The surgery is performed under anaesthesia with surgeon making small incisions through the skin in specific locations around the wrist joint. An arthroscope having a small lens, a miniature camera and a lighting system is inserted through one of these incisions. This allows the surgeon to watch the magnified view of internal wrist joint, ligaments and cartilage surfaces of bones on monitor. In case surgery needs to be performed, other instruments are introduced through other incisions. After the surgery, the incisions are closed with a small stitch and a dressing is applied.

What are the Indications for Wrist Arthroscopy?

Wrist arthroscopy can prove to be helpful in diagnosis and treatment of any of the following indications-

• Chronic wrist pain
• Ligament/TFCC tear
• Carpal tunnel release
• Detection and removal of loose bodies
• Debridement of degenerative arthritis
• Management of septic arthritis

Advantages of Wrist Arthroscopy

• Small incisions
• Less soft tissue disruption
• Minimal post-operative pain
• Faster recovery
• Fewer complications
• Earlier initiation of rehabilitation
• Sooner return to regular activity and work