Precision Through Small Incisions.
Restoring Your Freedom of Movement.
Advanced wrist arthroscopy techniques focused on accurate diagnosis, preserving healthy tissues, relieving pain, and restoring wrist function through minimally invasive surgical treatment.
What Is Wrist Arthroscopy?
Wrist arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to examine the inside of the wrist joint and treat identified abnormalities using a small camera system called an arthroscope and specialized surgical instruments, typically measuring approximately 2 mm in diameter.
The procedure may be performed under general, regional, or local anesthesia, depending on the patient’s condition and the type of treatment required.
Wrist arthroscopy can be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Diagnostic arthroscopy helps identify the causes of wrist pain, swelling, and loss of function, particularly following traumatic injuries. Therapeutic arthroscopy allows the surgeon to treat certain conditions identified within the joint.
During the procedure, approximately two or three small incisions are made around the wrist, through which the arthroscope and specialized instruments are inserted.
The camera transmits detailed images from inside the wrist joint to a monitor, allowing the surgeon to examine the cartilage, ligaments, and other joint structures.
This technique enables diagnosis and treatment without the need for a large surgical incision or extensive opening of the wrist joint.
What Are the Advantages of Wrist Arthroscopy?
Wrist arthroscopy offers several potential advantages compared with traditional open surgical procedures.
Because the operation is performed through very small incisions, damage to surrounding healthy tissues can be minimized.
The arthroscope also allows direct visualization of structures inside the wrist joint, which may improve diagnostic accuracy and help guide targeted treatment.
Potential advantages include:
Minimal Tissue Damage: Small incisions help preserve surrounding muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues.
Less Postoperative Pain: Reduced surgical trauma may result in less pain and discomfort after surgery.
Improved Diagnostic Accuracy: Direct visualization of the joint enables detailed assessment of cartilage, ligaments, and other structures.
Fewer Wound-Related Complications: Smaller incisions may reduce certain complications associated with larger surgical wounds.
Faster Recovery: Depending on the procedure, patients may return to daily activities sooner than after open surgery.
Minimal Scarring: Small surgical incisions generally result in less visible scars.
Potentially Lower Treatment Costs: In appropriately selected cases, shorter hospitalization and recovery may reduce overall treatment costs.
However, these advantages depend on the condition being treated, the complexity of the procedure, and individual patient factors.
What Are the Disadvantages of Wrist Arthroscopy?
Wrist arthroscopy is performed within a small and anatomically complex joint space, requiring specialized surgical training, technical precision, and experience.
Although complications are uncommon, inadequate visualization or improper instrument handling may cause injury to structures inside the wrist joint, particularly the articular cartilage.
The wrist also contains important nerves, tendons, and blood vessels located close to the surgical entry points.
For this reason, careful surgical planning and precise technique are essential to minimize the risk of injury.
In some complex conditions, arthroscopic treatment alone may not be sufficient, and an open surgical procedure may be required.
What Surgical Procedures Can Be Performed Using Wrist Arthroscopy?
Wrist arthroscopy can be used to diagnose and treat several conditions affecting the wrist joint.
Common arthroscopic procedures include:
Treatment of Cartilage Damage: Evaluation and treatment of damaged cartilage surfaces within the wrist joint.
Synovectomy: Removal of inflamed or excessively thickened synovial tissue lining the joint.
TFCC Repair: Arthroscopic treatment of injuries involving the triangular fibrocartilage complex, an important structure responsible for wrist stability.
Assessment and Treatment of Ligament Injuries: Examination and, in selected cases, repair of damaged wrist ligaments.
Removal of Loose Bodies: Removal of loose cartilage or bone fragments from the wrist joint.
The choice of procedure depends on the patient’s symptoms, physical examination findings, imaging results, and the nature of the underlying condition.
What Is a TFCC Injury and How Is It Treated?
The Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) is a group of cartilage and ligament structures located on the ulnar side of the wrist, near the little finger.
This complex plays an essential role in maintaining wrist stability, supporting smooth joint movement, and distributing forces transmitted through the wrist.
TFCC injuries may occur following a fall, twisting injury, repetitive wrist loading, or sports-related trauma.
They are particularly relevant in athletes and individuals who frequently perform activities involving wrist rotation or weight-bearing through the hands.
What Are the Symptoms of a TFCC Injury?
Common symptoms include:
Pain on the little-finger side of the wrist
Restricted or painful wrist movement
A feeling of instability or looseness in the wrist
Pain during gripping or rotational movements
Clicking or catching sensations during wrist movement
Reduced grip strength in some patients
How Is a TFCC Injury Diagnosed?
Diagnosis begins with a detailed assessment of the patient’s symptoms and medical history, followed by a physical examination.
During the examination, the physician evaluates tenderness on the ulnar side of the wrist, joint stability, and pain during specific wrist movements.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may help identify abnormalities or tears involving the TFCC.
However, MRI findings should always be interpreted together with the patient’s symptoms and clinical examination.
In certain cases, wrist arthroscopy may be used to directly examine the TFCC and confirm the diagnosis.
How Is a TFCC Injury Treated?
Treatment depends on the location and severity of the injury, the patient’s activity level, symptoms, and functional expectations.
In mild or stable injuries, conservative treatment may be recommended initially.
Non-surgical treatment options may include wrist immobilization, activity modification, appropriate pain management, and physical therapy.
If symptoms persist despite conservative treatment, or if significant wrist instability is present, arthroscopic surgical treatment may be considered.
Depending on the type and location of the tear, arthroscopic treatment may involve removing damaged tissue (debridement) or repairing the torn TFCC structures.
Following TFCC repair, wrist movement and loading may need to be restricted temporarily to allow the repaired tissues to heal.
The duration of immobilization and rehabilitation varies according to the type of injury and the surgical technique used.
What Are the Possible Side Effects and Complications During and After Wrist Arthroscopy?
Wrist arthroscopy is generally considered a safe, minimally invasive surgical technique. However, as with any surgical procedure, certain risks and complications may occur.
The original clinical information reports complication rates of approximately 1%–4%. However, complication rates vary depending on the procedure performed, the definition of complications, and individual patient factors.
Potential complications include:
Infection
Although uncommon, infection may develop at the incision site or within the wrist joint.
If an infection occurs, antibiotic treatment or additional surgical intervention may be necessary.
Joint Stiffness
Postoperative stiffness or reduced range of motion may occur, particularly when prolonged immobilization is required.
Appropriate rehabilitation and exercises, when recommended by the surgeon, can help restore mobility.
Cartilage Damage and Degenerative Changes
In rare cases, surgical instruments may cause damage to the articular cartilage or other structures inside the joint.
Degenerative joint changes or osteoarthritis may also occur over time, particularly in patients with pre-existing cartilage injuries or joint instability.
Swelling and Fluid Accumulation
Swelling or fluid accumulation may develop in or around the wrist joint following arthroscopy.
To help reduce postoperative swelling, patients may be advised to elevate the wrist above heart level and apply cold therapy according to their surgeon’s instructions.
Nerve-Related Sensory Changes
Small sensory nerves run close to the skin around the wrist.
Although uncommon, these nerves may become irritated or injured during the creation of arthroscopic incisions.
This can result in pain, numbness, reduced sensation, tingling, or increased sensitivity around the incision site.
Such symptoms may resolve over time, although some sensory changes can persist.
Injury to Surrounding Structures
Rarely, nearby tendons, ligaments, or other structures may be injured during surgery.
The risk of these complications can be reduced through appropriate surgical planning, careful technique, and the experience of the operating surgeon.
Patients should follow their postoperative care instructions and attend scheduled follow-up appointments to support recovery and identify potential complications early.
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