WRIST ARTHROSCOPY

WHAT IS ARTHROSCOPY?

Arthroscopy is a procedure that allows your orthopaedic surgeon to look inside your joints and treat any abnormality noted. This procedure entails utilizing a small camera known as an arthroscope, which is inserted through small incisions made around the wrist region. This camera allows the surgeon to visualise the inside of the joint on a monitor, enabling precise assessment and treatment of various wrist conditions.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Dr Pirjol will begin your arthroscopy by inserting a camera into your joint. Images will then be displayed on screens for your orthopaedic surgeon to see as he works with small surgical tools. The surgical equipment used in arthroscopy is particularly small, which means that the incisions made in the body will be small, less painful, and will heal much quicker than those made in traditional open surgery. If any issues are identified during the examination, Dr Pirjol may perform additional procedures using specialised instruments inserted through the incisions. These procedures may include repairing torn ligaments, removing damaged cartilage, or extracting loose bodies from the joint.

WHEN DO YOU NEED WRIST ARTHROSCOPY?M

Arthroscopy can be performed in order to address the following wrist conditions and injuries:

• Trauma
  Trauma to the wrist, such as falling and landing on the wrist, can cause damage to the ligaments and cartilage of the wrist joint. Arthroscopic repair is an option in these cases.
• Degenerative conditions
  While conservative treatments like cortisone injections and anti-inflammatory medication can be used to treat degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis, arthroscopic debridement can produce positive results.
• Wrist Fractures:
  In cases where fractures involve the wrist joint or where there is suspicion of intra-articular involvement, arthroscopy can aid in accurate assessment and treatment.
• Ganglion Cysts:
  Arthroscopic techniques can be employed to excise ganglion cysts arising from the wrist joint, providing both diagnostic clarity and therapeutic benefit.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR WRIST ARTHROSCOPY?

Your orthopaedic surgeon will conduct a thorough physical examination and order X-rays and, most probably, an MRI scan before considering wrist surgery. After the procedure, your doctor will prescribe pain medication.

FAQ

What is the recovery time after ankle arthroscopy? What are the risks associated with ankle arthroscopy? Will I need physical therapy after ankle arthroscopy?