Wrist Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a surgery that allows a doctor to see the inside of a joint. It may be performed after an injury such as a fall or twisting of the wrist when pain, clicking, or swelling suggests an internal wrist problem.

Wrist arthroscopy is often a direct way to look at an injury and repair it. The procedure can be used to help align wrist fractures, remove some wrist ganglions, wash out infection, or remove excess joint lining associated with inflammation from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

The wrist has become one of the most common joints to undergo arthroscopy, after the knee and shoulder. Because the cuts used with this procedure are smaller and disrupt less soft tissue than typical surgery, pain, swelling, and stiffness are often less, and recovery is often faster.

Procedure

Your doctor can see the ligaments and cartilage surfaces of bones with wrist arthroscopy. Some parts of ligaments have a good blood supply and can be repaired and heal, while other parts do not have a blood supply and do not heal, so they are removed.

During the procedure, a small camera fixed to the end of a narrow tube is placed through a small cut in the skin directly into the back of the wrist joint. The image is projected onto a television screen for better viewing.

Several small cuts are used so the surgeon can place the camera in a number of positions and see the cartilage of each bone, the ligaments, and the joint lining called synovium.

Risks

Risks of wrist arthroscopy can include, but are not limited to:

• Infection
• Damage to nerves, tendons, or cartilage
• Stiffness or loss of joint motion

Recovery

After surgery, you will be placed in a bandage that may prevent wrist motion. This helps protect the area and provide pain relief. Arthroscopy most likely does not require an overnight hospital stay.

Fingers should move freely, and finger movement is often encouraged to limit swelling and stiffness. Your surgeon will provide instructions on wound care, therapy, safe activities, and any work or exercise restrictions. Elevating the wrist is important to help prevent swelling and pain after surgery.

This mobile-friendly version is adapted from patient education content originally provided by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.