Wrist Arthroscopy

What is a Wrist Arthroscopy?

A Wrist Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedure used to investigate, diagnose and treat a wrist disorder that fails to respond to physiotherapy, medication or other non-surgical treatments.

An Arthroscopy is commonly known as 'keyhole surgery". This procedure provides a surgeon with a quick, easy and clear view of the inside of the wrist joint through a pencil slim, high-resolution camera known as an Arthroscope. The camera also includes a light source, which allows the image picked up through the camera lens to be projected onto a television monitor. The surgeon can then look at the joint in an enlarged format.

There are two types of Wrist Arthroscopy: 
 
i) Diagnostic Arthroscopy: investigation to find out what is wrong with a wrist
ii) Therapeutic Arthroscopy: correction of an injury or fault within the wrist

It is more common for these procedures to be provided at the same time.

Why is a Wrist Arthroscopy performed?

A Wrist Arthroscopy is usually performed in order to investigate and relieve pain, swelling, deformity or instability of a wrist joint caused by either age related wear and tear, arthritis, trauma or disease.

The wrist is a particularly complex joint comprising of eight small bones and numerous connecting ligaments. An Arthroscopy is therefore a valued tool in allowing the surgeon a good view and easy access of such a small and complex space with only minimal risk of causing additional trauma.   

The conditions that can be most easily treated with a Wrist Arthroscopy Procedure are as follows:

• An exploration to investigate pain, swelling or deformity
• Removal of a foreign body, bone fragment or to stabilise a fracture
• Removal of a cyst or ganglion
• Trim or repair of a torn ligament
• Release of a trapped nerve, such as Carpal Tunnel Release

How is a Wrist Arthroscopy carried out?

A Wrist Arthroscopy can be performed under General Anaesthetic (you will be asleep) or Regional Anaesthetic (you will be awake). The procedure usually takes only a short amount of time to perform if the disorder in the wrist joint is of a minor nature (approximately 30 minutes), although repairs of a more complex nature can take much longer. Most Arthroscopy procedures are provided on a Day-Case basis.

During the procedure two small incisions (cuts) just a few millimetres in length are made either side of the problematic joint. These two incisions allow a narrow tube with a camera lens within it to be inserted into one and a slim tube that will regularly inject fluid and rinse the inside of the joint into the other. The injected fluid will allow the surgeon to get a good view of the problem area via the camera lens as he moves it around the inside of the wrist joint. Once the problem is properly identified, another small incision can then be made elsewhere on the wrist joint surface (sometimes two incisions are made) in order to insert exceptionally fine instruments into the problematic joint space. With the aid of clear vision via the camera lens, the surgeon can then guide his fine instruments and gently correct the problem without any need to fully open up the wrist joint.

At the end of the procedure the small wounds are usually closed with absorbable stitches and covered with a simple dressing and support bandage.

What is the recovery like?

Once a patient is fully recovered from the effects of anaesthetic they are normally quickly encouraged to be as active and mobile as possible to avoid complications such as joint stiffness and Deep Vein Thrombosis from developing. It is therefore normal for patients to be encouraged to undertake upper limb physiotherapy exercise just a few hours after surgery.

Following a progressive improvement of mobility and pain control, patients are normally discharged home 4-6 hours after their surgery. By the time the required level of recovery is achieved for discharge, patients are normally wearing only a simple sling and wound dressing over their incisions, eating and drinking normally and taking only mild analgesia (pain killers) to control any pain.

Over the next 6 weeks patients will be expected to work on improving their joints mobility and range of movement through dedicated and progressive physiotherapy. Your Consultant Surgeon will then assess your condition and range of movement after 1 week and then again after six weeks to evaluate how successful the Arthroscopy has been. Patients who are in employment should not resume work until after their first consultation and dependant on the physical nature of their job may be advised to take longer off work.

Patients should expect a continuous and full physical recovery to take from 6 - 12 weeks to achieve.

Are there any risks associated Wrist Arthroscopy surgery?

Although Wrist Arthroscopy surgery is regularly performed without any complications, it is very important that all candidates are fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking this type of specialist surgery.

All surgery, no mater how expertly or carefully it is performed, carries risks and the importance of a full evaluation and consultation with an expert in Wrist Arthroscopy surgery to discuss your condition in relation to these risks cannot be over emphasised.

How do I find out if I am a suitable candidate for Wrist Arthroscopy surgery?

Surgical Advisor will be delighted to help you find a leading expert Wrist Arthroscopy surgery to consult with. Your surgeon will carry out a thorough evaluation of your condition and provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the most appropriate surgical solution.
 
Our Expert Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons are most carefully selected and recommended because they understand the importance of the decision you are making when contemplating complex Wrist surgery and because of their specialist Arthroscopy expertise. Throughout your consultation you will therefore be encouraged to ask as many questions as you wish and to take your time in making a decision to proceed with any recommended treatment.

To ensure that patients are comfortable with any recommendations or advice given in their consultation, all patients are asked to go away after a consultation and think through all the information they have received. If for whatever reason you are still not sure about the best course of action and wish to have further dialogue with your surgeon, you will not be expected to pay for a second consultation appointment.

How do I make a consultation appointment?

For further advice on how to make an appointment to consult with an expert Wrist Arthroscopy surgeon: 

Please call Surgical Advisor on: 0870 41 41 41 2
Or email us by clicking on: advice@surgicaladvisor.com