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Before wrist arthroscopy, your doctor will do the following:

• Perform a physical examination of the hand and wrist.
• Learn more about past medical conditions or concerns (medical history).
• Perform tests that attempt to locate the pain/symptoms (provocative tests).
• Obtain images of the hand and wrist. These may include X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, or an arthrogram (an X-ray or MRI taken after a dye is injected into the joint).

During wrist arthroscopy:

• Usually, arthroscopic surgery requires only that the hand and arm are numbed (regional anesthesia). A sedative may also be given to further relax the patient.
• The surgeon will usually use a traction device to apply sustained tension across the wrist to widen the joints and make it easier to insert the arthroscope.
• The surgeon makes small incisions (portals) through the skin in specific locations around the joint and inserts the arthroscope. During the procedure, the wrist is usually filled with saline (using a pump) to help with visualization.

Surgeons place portals in specific locations on the wrist, depending on the area that needs to be viewed and treated. This set of portals, called the standard radiocarpal portals, will give access to the major joint(s) at the wrist. Other sets of portals provide access to other areas of the wrist.

Reproduced from Gupta R, Bozentka DJ, Osterman AL: Wrist Arthroscopy: Principles and Clinical Applications. J. Am Acad. Orthop 2001;9:200-209.

• Once the arthroscope is in place, images of the joint are projected through the camera onto a monitor in the operating room. The surgeon watches the monitor as they move the arthroscope within the joint.
• As mentioned above, in addition to the arthroscope, several specialized tools are placed into the wrist through other portals. These tools are used to correct problems uncovered by the surgeon during the procedure.

Arthroscopic Surgical Treatment

Arthroscopic surgery can be used to treat a number of conditions of the wrist, including, but not limited to:

• Chronic wrist pain. Arthroscopic exploratory surgery may be used to diagnose the cause of chronic wrist pain when the results of other tests do not provide a clear diagnosis. Often, there may be areas of inflammation, cartilage damage, or other findings that explain the pain. In some cases, after the diagnosis is made, the condition can be treated arthroscopically as well — and possibly during the same procedure.
• Wrist fractures. Small fragments of bone may stay within the joint after a bone breaks (fractures). Wrist arthroscopy can be used to remove these fragments and align the broken pieces of bone. The bone is then stabilized using pins, wires, screws, plates, etc.
• Ganglion cysts. Ganglion cysts commonly grow out of the joint from a stalk between two of the wrist bones. Commonly, the cyst and/or its stalk can be seen and removed during arthroscopy, eliminating the cyst.
• Ligament/triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears. Ligaments are fibrous bands of connective tissue that connect bones to each other. They provide stability and support to the joints. The TFCC is a structure that both stabilizes and cushions the wrist. A fall on an outstretched hand (e.g., from slipping on an icy surface, or while playing sports) can injure or tear ligaments in the wrist, such as the TFCC. This may cause wrist pain and/or clicking, especially during activity. Arthroscopic surgery can be used to diagnose and treat TFCC and other ligament tears of the wrist.

This is a view inside a wrist joint using an arthroscope. The TFCC ligament is torn, and the surgeon is using a hook to identify the tear. Afterward, the surgeon will use a shaver to clean the area to make a smooth surface at the tear. In some cases, a suture can then be passed to repair the tear. The head of the ulna is visualized through the tear. Next to it is the radius.

Reproduced  from Gupta R, Bozentka DJ, Osterman AL: Wrist Arthroscopy: Principles and Clinical Applications. J. Am Acad. Orthop 2001;9:200-209.

• For the first 2 or 3 days after surgery, the wrist should be elevated, and the bandage should be kept clean and dry.
• Ice may help keep swelling down.
• There are exercises that can be used to help maintain motion and rebuild your strength.
• Although pain after surgery is usually mild, analgesic medications will help relieve any pain. Your surgeon will go into more detail about the appropriate post-operative pain relief protocol for your particular surgery.

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Complications during or after arthroscopic wrist surgery are unusual. They may include:

• Infection
• Nerve injuries
• Excessive swelling
• Bleeding
• Scarring
• Tendon tearing

Your doctor will discuss the complications of arthroscopy with you before your surgery. 

The outcomes of a wrist arthroscopy depends on the condition that is identified during the procedure. However, the majority of wrist arthroscopy cases are successful in helping with diagnosis and treatment of wrist conditions.