Wrist Arthroscopy

What is it?
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive technique of visualizing the inside of a joint. The word arthroscopy comes from two Greek words, “arthro” (joint) and “skopein” (to look). The wrist is a complex joint made up of many bones and ligaments, which hold the bones together (see Figure 1). Wrist arthroscopy allows the surgeon to diagnose and treat many problems of the wrist through a series of very small incisions (portals). In the last several years, the wrist has become the third most common joint to undergo arthroscopy, after the knee and shoulder. Because the incisions used with wrist arthroscopy are smaller and disrupt less soft tissue than conventional open surgery, pain, swelling and stiffness are minimized and recovery is often faster.

When is wrist arthroscopy performed?
Wrist arthroscopy allows the visualization of the cartilage surfaces of all bones in the wrist and better evaluation of the ligaments between the various bones of the wrist. After an injury, pain, clicks, and swelling may be frequently indicative of an internal problem in the wrist. Arthroscopy is often the best way of assessing the integrity of the ligaments, cartilage, and bone. When wrist problems are encountered, many are treated through these small incisions using specialized instruments available for wrist arthroscopy. Often arthroscopy is used to aid in the reduction of fractures of the bones of the wrist. Wrist arthroscopy is also used to assess the integrity of the TFCC (triangular fibrocartilage or meniscus of the wrist). Wrist arthroscopy can be used to remove some ganglions of the wrist and to assess and treat various types of arthritis of the wrist.

How is this performed?
The procedure is performed under general, regional, or local anesthesia. A small camera fixed to the end of a narrow fiber optic tube, 2.7mm wide, is inserted through a small incision, about 5mm long, in the skin directly into the back of the wrist joint. The camera lens magnifies and projects the small structures in the wrist onto a television monitor, allowing for more accurate diagnosis. Several small incisions (portals) are used to allow the surgeon to place the camera in different positions to see different structures inside the joint as well as to place various small instruments into the wrist joint to help diagnose and treat various problems in the wrist (see Figure 3). The wrist is usually distracted and filled with fluid to expand the joint and allow improved visualization during the procedure. Sometimes wrist arthroscopy is combined with open procedures.

After wrist arthroscopy
After your arthroscopy, you will most likely be placed into a wrist splint that allows full mobility of your fingers. The period of immobilization will vary depending on what was performed at the time of surgery. Elevating the involved extremity is important to prevent excessive swelling and pain after your surgery.

Risks and limitations
As with any surgery, wrist arthroscopy has risks. These include infection and potential damage to nerves and tendons, usually less than 1%. Stiffness may need to be addressed through post operative rehabilitation. Wrist arthroscopy is not appropriate for all wrist conditions and is dependent on the surgeon’s training, expertise, and comfort level.


For more details please contact:
Dr. Prateek Gupta (Senior Surgeon)
Arthroscopy Surgery Clinic
C2/5 Safdarjung Development Area (SDA),
Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi - 110016
INDIA
Telephones: +91 9810852876, +91 11 26517776
24 x 7 Helpline & Appointment: +91 9810633876
Email: sportsmedicinedelhi@yahoo.com,
sportsmedicineclinics@gmail.com
Website: http://www.sportsmedicineclinicdelhi.com/arthroscopy.htm,
http://www.sportsmedicineclinicdelhi.com,
http://www.arthroscopysurgeryindia.com