The wrist is made up of eight small bones and connecting ligaments. Arthroscopy involves a tiny camera, or arthroscope, that surgeons use to see inside the joint. This tool allows surgeons to identify problems within the wrist joint or even perform a surgical procedure without having to make large incisions in the muscle and tissue.

Diagnostic arthroscopy is necessary because surgeons can get to the root of the problem and identify the issue themselves, rather than relying on X-rays that aren’t always accurate.

Arthroscopic surgery can be used to examine the bones and ligaments of the wrist, and to diagnose and treat chronic wrist pain, wrist fractures, ganglion cysts, and ligament tears.

Besides identifying and treating injuries in the wrist, arthroscopy is used in rotator cuff surgery, repairing torn cartilage and ligaments, reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee, and in release of carpal tunnel. In some cases, it’s used in combination with another procedure.

After your physician evaluates your condition or injury, he or she may determine that arthroscopy is the best option.

Procedure

Although this procedure isn’t as invasive as open surgery, it will still take place in a hospital or an outpatient surgical suite. Before the procedure begins, your hand and arm will be numbed but you will not be put under general anesthesia.

During the procedure, the surgeon will make small incisions in the skin around your wrist joint that are half an inch long or less. This surgery is performed using miniature instruments designed specifically for arthroscopy. The arthroscope, which contains a small lens and lighting system, is inserted through the incisions and into the joint. The camera image within your wrist will be displayed on a screen that your surgeon will watch while performing the surgery.

After the procedure is performed, your small incisions will be covered with a dressing that should be kept clean and dry.

Recovery

The length of recovery time will typically last between a few days and a week or two, but depends on the specific arthroscopic surgical wrist treatment you had performed. You may experience mild pain after surgery, but over-the-counter pain medication will provide relief.

The first two or three days after your wrist arthroscopy, keep your wrist elevated and apply ice to keep the swelling down, and be very careful to keep the bandage clean and dry.

Generally speaking, arthroscopy is a very safe procedure. While any type of surgical procedure comes with its risks, arthroscopy is minimally invasive and risks are also very minimal. This procedure is a great way to identify the issues within your wrist and get you back on the road to recovery.

If you’re experiencing wrist pain or suffering from a wrist injury, you may want to consider arthroscopy. Download our e-book, How to Choose an Orthopaedic Surgeon, for more information on how to find the right surgeon for you.

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Contact your doctor when you first begin experiencing arthritis symptoms like swollen, painful, and stiff joints. Catching your arthritis early is a critical part of preventing permanent damage to your joints. Your doctor will perform a physical examination in order to diagnose your specific type of arthritis.

Surgical treatment is most effective when performed in the early stages of arthritis. If you were diagnosed with the early stages of hand or wrist arthritis, you may undergo one of the following procedures. These surgical procedures are typically performed as preventative measures to make sure that the arthritis does not become any more severe.

Tenosynovectomy

During this procedure, the surgeon will remove the inflamed synovial lining of your extensor tendons, which are the tendons that allow your fingers to stretch out.

When you’re dealing with arthritis, the synovial fluid becomes inflamed, causes swelling in the back of the hand and wrist, and can eventually cause tendons to rupture. By removing the lining, the fluid does not have the chance to become inflamed.

Synovectomy

This procedure is very similar to tenosynovectomy, except the synovial tissue is removed from the joint compartment rather than the extensor tendons.

Joint Reconstruction

This procedure is common in patients with damaged tissue and a mild case of arthritis. This would not be appropriate for patients dealing with severe bone degeneration. Small incisions are made and the damaged tissue is removed. This is one of the most effective procedures for arthritis of the hands and wrists.

Recovery

While these methods have been used to treat early and mild cases of arthritis of the hands and wrists, there will still be a recovery period to work through. It’s important to follow your surgeon’s directions for recovery to reduce the risk of infection and reinjury.

You will probably have a splint or cast after surgery to protect your hand or wrist while it heals. You’ll also need to rest your hand or wrist and avoid movement to prevent reinjury. The length of recovery will depend on which surgery you had performed, but most people make a full recovery after a couple of months.

If you begin to experience symptoms of hand or wrist arthritis, contact your doctor right away. It’s very important to begin treatment as soon as possible in order to prevent more serious damage from occurring. If you’re considering undergoing surgery to reduce painful symptoms caused by a wrist injury or arthritis, click here to download our e-book, How to Choose an Orthopaedic Surgeon. This educational guide will provide you with all the information you need to find a reputable surgeon.

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