Wrist Arthroscopy

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Wrist Arthroscopy

When wrist surgery is required, many procedures can be undertaken using a small telescope (arthroscope) and camera to look into the wrist joint and perform procedures. This procedure is called arthroscopy.

Arthroscopy can be used to make a diagnosis or to assess structures within the wrist. This aids planning of further treatment. Wrist arthroscopy may also be used to undertake surgical treatment of conditions such as ligamentous injuries, some fractures, some cartilage and arthritis problems and excision of ganglions.

The advantages of performing operations arthroscopically include smaller wounds, faster recovery times, and sometimes procedures can be undertaken arthroscopically that cannot be done by conventional open surgery.

In addition to diagnostic arthroscopy, interventional procedures include:

  • Triangular fibrocartilagenous repair
  • Distal ulnar wafer resection
  • Scapholunate ligament repair
  • Ulnocarpal ligament repair
  • Debridement of degenerate tissue
  • Assisted scaphoid fracture fixation
  • Assisted distal radius fixation
  • Radial styloidectomy
  • Partial scaphoid replacement
  • Partial or full trapeziectomy with or without interposition arthroplasty.

About the Arthroscopic Operation

After wrist arthroscopy –
Post-Operative Care

Most arthroscopic procedures will require a small bandage post-operatively, which is reduced to a small dressing after two days, and then no dressings after a further week. Near to full recovery usually takes 4 weeks for diagnostic arthroscopy (simply looking around the wrist at arthroscopy). In procedures involving complex work within the joint, the post-operative treatment and splinting and recovery time will vary according to the nature of the operation, and Dr Jarrett will discuss this with you before the operation. Your wounds can be washed and moisturised from 10 days post-op.

Get an expert opinion from Dr Jarrett