Overview

The repetitive movement of the wrist or sudden jerks experienced by the wrist bones and ligaments may lead to extreme pain. The severe pain may not allow the affected individual to perform routine activities. Actions such as holding or grasping things, pulling, playing a sport, or writing becomes difficult with the incessant pain. A doctor suggests a surgical procedure when non-surgical methods such as medications and therapies do not relieve pain.

Wrist arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows the surgeon to visualise and treat various conditions inside the wrist joint using a small camera called an arthroscope. The arthroscope is inserted through small incisions around the wrist, providing clear images of the joint's structures on a monitor. The surgeon can diagnose and treat various wrist issues, including ligament injuries, cartilage damage, ganglion cysts, and arthritis, using specialised instruments inserted through additional small incisions. Wrist arthroscopy offers faster recovery, less postoperative pain, and reduced scarring compared to traditional open surgery.

The procedure helps to do a proper and detailed analysis of the painful wrist and identify the issue. The minimally invasive surgery does not require huge incisions or cuts. The patient can recover at a quicker pace and is also able to perform different types of wrist actions easily.

Who needs Wrist Arthroscopy?

Mentioned below are some of the medical situations and wrist issues that can be healed with the help of this surgical procedure:

- Wrist Pain- When a patient cannot move the wrist due to extreme pain, the condition must be treated with the help of professional medical assistance. The surgery helps to identify the root of the issue and treat it appropriately. The pain also disables the patient to perform actions such as writing, holding, or grasping things.
- Ganglion Removal- A fluid-filled sac in the wrist may also cause pain and disable the patient from performing different wrist movements. However, the sac is harmless but continues to cause pain in the wrist. Ganglion removal is also one of the causes of arthroscopic wrist surgery.
- Ligament Tear- A ligament is a collective band of tissues that helps to keep the bones connected. The tear in the ligament may also cause pain and not allow the affected individual to move the wrist effortlessly. Surgery helps deal with such conditions as well.
- Carpal Tunnel Release- A medical condition in which the swollen nerve passing through an area pressurises the tissues, causing pain. The surgery helps to make space for the swollen nerve to avoid pressuring the tissues around it and to help lower the pain.
- Wrist arthritis- Wrist arthroscopy can be used for diagnostic purposes and to provide symptomatic relief for certain types of wrist arthritis.
- Wrist fractures- In some cases, arthroscopy may be used with other surgical techniques to treat complex wrist fractures.

How is a Wrist Arthroscopy performed?

As the name of the surgery suggests, the surgical procedure is minimally invasive. The patient is given either general anaesthesia to sleep throughout the procedure or regional anaesthesia to numb the arm. Small incisions are made over the wrist to insert an arthroscope. The camera with the light helps to identify the root cause of wrist pain. Then the surgeon inspects the patient's ligaments, tissues, and bones to identify any issues. The damage is removed, and any form of tear in the wrist's ligament, bones, or tendon is also repaired. The surgery is winded up by stitching and securing the incisions with bandages.

Risks and Complications of Wrist Arthroscopy

Mentioned below are some of the possible risks and complications of wrist surgery:

- Failure of Surgery- One of the least possible yet possible complications observed in a surgical procedure is surgery failure. If the wrist surgery fails, the patient still feels pain afterwards. The patient can also not perform wrist movements and feels restricted from daily activities. In such scenarios, the condition is treated with the help of a re-surgical procedure.
- Swelling and bruising- Temporary swelling and bruising around the wrist are common after the procedure.
- Stiffness and pain- Some patients may experience postoperative stiffness and pain, which can be managed with physical therapy and medications.
- Slow Healing- Another common issue in any surgical procedure is slower healing. The slow healing process may lead the patient to feel continuous pain in the wrist. Under such situations, the doctors may handle it by prescribing certain medicines.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)- Prolonged immobilisation after surgery can increase the risk of DVT, a blood clot in a deep vein.
- Nerve Damage- Damage to the nerves surrounding the operated area is also one of the risk factors of wrist surgery. The nerves near the surgical site may be damaged due to the instruments used for the surgical procedure.
- Complex cases- In certain complex cases, the surgeon may need to convert to open surgery to address the issue entirely.
- Scar tissue formation- Excessive scar tissue can develop inside the joint, potentially affecting wrist motion.

Post-Surgery Care Guidelines

The patient is given a discharge on the same day of the surgery after being under observation for a few hours. Mentioned below are guidelines to be followed by the patient to avoid any post-surgery mishaps:

- Cold Pack- A cold pack helps to lower the pain and swelling that can be observed post-surgery. It is advised to apply the ice pack over the operated area twice or thrice a day or as suggested by the doctor.
- Clean and Dry Bandage- It is advised to keep the bandage dry and clean to avoid any infection. One should follow the instructions given by the doctor to avoid any issues.
- Splint- Keeping the wrist stable for speedy recovery after wrist arthroscopy is necessary. A doctor may suggest using a splint for 10 to 15 days to avoid wrist movement. It helps in the quicker recovery of the patient.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert Ortho doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Wrist Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure helpful to identify the issues in the wrist and operate it without big cuts or incisions. The surgery helps relieve wrist pain and allows smooth movement to perform routine activities.

Reference Links

- https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/arthroscopy/
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007585.htm
- https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/wrist-arthroscopy/