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Wrist arthroscopy

You have a problem in your wrist that is difficult to identify. You have had X-rays on your wrist and you may have had an MRI scan, which may help the diagnosis of your condition. However, very often the MRI scan does not help and further investigation is necessary. This investigation is the procedure that you are about to undergo. I stress that this is an investigation, not a therapy, i.e. is it to help me make a diagnosis. If I am able to perform any form of procedure that may help your condition that I regard as a bonus.

ANAESTHETIC

General or regional anaesthetic.

OPERATIVE PROCEDURE

You will have a general anaesthetic although this can be performed under a form of local anaesthetic where we put a local anaesthetic underneath your arm, which enables you to watch the procedure if you wish. Three incisions will be made in your wrist. A telescope is inserted along with a small probe through one of the other incisions. It may be feasible to shave any cartilage that is loose within the wrist. Generally we put local anaesthetic in the wrist and the small stab incisions after the operation.

RESULTS

I do not expect results from a wrist arthroscopy. As mentioned above this is a diagnostic not a therapeutic procedure.

COMPLICATIONS

  1. Infection could be introduced into the joint. I have never seen this complication.
  2. Nerve damage. There is a nerve that goes over the back of the wrist, which supplies sensation over the back of the index finger and thumb. This nerve potentially could be damaged by the stab incisions. This would lead to an area of numbness and potential pain over the scar.
  3. Tendon damage. Potentially once of the stab incisions could damage the tendon.