Wrist Arthroscopy

If you need a wrist arthroscopy, please Schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists as soon as possible.

What Is Wrist Arthroscopy?

Wrist arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery in which orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat wrist conditions using an arthroscope. Unlike traditional open surgery, this procedure offers several advantages, such as smaller incisions, reduced pain, and faster recovery. In particular, surgeons use wrist arthroscopy to address issues like ligament tears, cartilage damage, and wrist instability.

How Wrist Arthroscopy Works

To begin the procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision in the wrist, approximately the size of a pencil tip. Through this incision, the surgeon inserts the arthroscope, which allows a clear view of the joint on a video monitor. This camera enables the surgeon to examine the wrist’s bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. In some cases, surgeons make additional small incisions to introduce specialized tools for treatment.

Wrist arthroscopy serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. It can help identify the cause of pain and also treat the issue effectively.

Common Conditions Treated with Wrist Arthroscopy

Wrist arthroscopy can treat a variety of conditions, including:

Ligament Tears: Surgeons repair or remove damaged ligaments that cause instability and pain in the wrist.
Cartilage Damage: If the cartilage is injured or arthritic, surgeons smooth or repair it to restore joint function.
Wrist Impingement: Arthroscopy helps relieve pain caused by bones or soft tissue rubbing against each other.
Wrist Fractures: Surgeons use arthroscopy to clean debris, remove bone fragments, or realign fractured bones.
Ganglion Cysts: Arthroscopy removes these fluid-filled lumps from the wrist, easing discomfort and improving mobility.
Arthritis: Surgeons can manage certain types of arthritis by removing damaged tissue or performing joint debridement, which can delay the need for joint fusion.

Advantages of Wrist Arthroscopy

Wrist arthroscopy provides multiple benefits compared to open surgery:

Minimally Invasive: The small incisions reduce tissue damage and the risk of complications.
Faster Recovery: Because the procedure causes less trauma, recovery time is shorter. Typically, most patients return to normal activities within weeks.
Reduced Pain: Smaller incisions and less tissue manipulation result in less post-operative pain and swelling.
Precision: The high-definition images from the arthroscope allow surgeons to treat issues with great accuracy, minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
Lower Risk of Infection: The small incisions reduce the infection risk when compared to traditional open surgery.

The Wrist Arthroscopy Procedure

The procedure typically follows these steps:

Preparation: The patient receives either local or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the surgery.
Incision: The surgeon makes small incisions around the wrist, usually on the back or side of the joint.
Arthroscope Insertion: The surgeon inserts the arthroscope through one incision to view the inside of the wrist.
Treatment: If necessary, specialized tools are introduced through the other incisions to repair ligaments, remove damaged tissue, or address other issues.
Closure: The surgeon closes the incisions with sutures or steri-strips, then applies a bandage to protect the wrist.

Typically, the procedure lasts between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the complexity of the issue being treated.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Recovery from wrist arthroscopy is generally quicker and less painful than recovery from traditional surgery. After the procedure, the wrist will be bandaged or splinted for protection. In the first few days, patients should rest and elevate the wrist to reduce swelling.

Most patients can return to light activities within a few days, although they should avoid heavy lifting and intense physical activities for several weeks. To aid recovery, surgeons may recommend physical therapy to restore strength, mobility, and flexibility to the wrist joint.

If you would like to speak to an Orthopedic Specialist, give us a call at 817-697-4038, or contact us over the web. Tele-medicine appointments are also available.