Wrist Arthroscopy in Dallas, Frisco, Prosper, and Wylie, TX
Treatment for Wrist Fractures, Ganglion Cysts, and TFCC Tears
Wrist arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows orthopedic specialists to diagnose and treat disorders of the wrist joint. The procedure involves the use of a tiny fiber optic medical instrument called an arthroscope. An arthroscopy allows surgeons to look inside small areas of the joint without the need for large incisions in the tissue and muscle. The delicate and cramped nature of the bones in the wrist call for just as delicate a surgical procedure. It also calls for a highly skilled Dallas orthopedic surgeon.
At SPORT Orthopedics + Physical Therapy, we diagnose and treat all manner of sports injuries and orthopedic conditions. Some examples include carpal tunnel, wrist fractures, ganglion cysts, and sprained wrists. If you feel pain or discomfort in your wrist, it might be time to undergo wrist arthroscopy. Call our orthopedic doctors and Dallas physical therapists today at 469-200-2832. You can also fill out our online intake form.
What Is Wrist Arthroscopy?
This procedure involves the use of a tiny camera, or arthroscope, to view the inside of the wrist joint. The purpose of arthroscopy is either to diagnose an issue or to treat it with a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Any tools used during the procedure are also small enough to fit in the small incision for the arthroscope. A less invasive procedure means less pain and a shorter recovery time. Therefore, arthroscopy is a popular choice for both patients and surgeons alike.
Anatomy of the Wrist
The wrist is one of the most complex joint structures in the entire body. This is because the wrist is more like multiple joints all working together to move your hand. It isn’t as simple as two bones coming together to form one joint. The structures involved in the wrist are the proximal carpals, distal carpals, metacarpals, and the radiocarpal joint. Below, we list a few key functions of the wrist joint.
- Moving one’s hand side to side and back and forth
- Transferring forces from the hand to the arm and vice versa
- Giving more strength and flexibility to the entire hand
These essential abilities of the wrist are crucial to our everyday lives. They also depend on a highly complex combination of bones, tissues, and joints working together.
What Is the Wrist Arthroscopy Procedure Like?
Before the procedure, you will most likely be given general anesthesia. This implies that you will be unconscious and unable to sense pain. Alternatively, you may be given regional anesthesia. Your forearm and wrist will be anesthetized so you won’t feel any discomfort. Your doctor will give you medication to make you very tired throughout the procedure if you get regional anesthetic. During the procedure, the surgeon performs the following actions.
- They make a very small incision, then insert the arthroscope into that incision. The scope remains connected to a video feed monitor within the operating room. That feed lets the surgeon view what they’re doing inside the wrist.
- The surgeon then views all of the tissues inside the wrist, including the ligaments, cartilage, bones, and tendons.
- Lastly, they perform any necessary repairs of damaged tissue. For this, a few more very small incisions are necessary to insert the surgical tools. A repair example might be fixing torn cartilage. At the end, the surgeon removes any damaged tissue.
The openings will be stitched up and covered with a bandage at the conclusion of the procedure. During the surgery, most doctors take images from the video display to demonstrate to patients what they found and what corrections they did.
If the wrist sustains a lot of damage, the surgeon might recommend an open surgery. Open surgeries, while requiring a larger incision and longer recovery time, allow surgeons to access the bones and tissues more easily.
When Is Wrist Arthroscopy Necessary?
Patients are frequently advised to have arthroscopic surgery after other, more moderate treatment approaches have failed to provide relief. If a patient fell on or twisted their wrist, has a wrist fracture, or is suffering wrist discomfort, swelling, or clicking sensations, this procedure is frequently used.
This operation can also be used to correct wrist fractures, clear ganglion cysts, or treat infections at the origin. Arthroscopic wrist surgery can be done to remove extra joint lining in rheumatoid arthritis patients. This serves to reduce inflammation.
Diagnostic Wrist Arthroscopy
If the cause of wrist discomfort is unclear, diagnostic arthroscopy may be employed. It may also be utilized if wrist discomfort persists after nonsurgical therapy for several months. Before the arthroscopic procedure, doctors usually do the following.
- Physically examine the hand and wrist
- Take a medical history from the patient
- Perform provocative tests to locate the source of the pain
- Take pictures of the wrist and hand, usually involving x-rays, MRI scans, or arthrograms
In most cases, arthroscopic surgery simply necessitates the use of regional anesthetic to numb the hand and arm. To help the patient calm even further, a sedative may be administered.
On the outside of the wrist, two or more tiny incisions, called portals, are created. Through the portals, the arthroscope and equipment are placed, and the joint is seen through the lens on the tip of the arthroscope. The openings are sealed with a little stitch after surgery, and a bandage is placed. A brace is often used.
Wrist Arthroscopy for Surgical Treatment
Wrist arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat various wrist conditions and injuries, including the following.
- Chronic Wrist Pains: When diagnostic tests are inconclusive, arthroscopy can investigate and address inflammation, cartilage damage, a wrist injury, or other wrist disorders causing persistent pain.
- Wrist Fractures: Arthroscopy can remove bone fragments and realign and secure broken bones using pins, wires, or screws.
- Ganglion Cysts: These cysts, originating between wrist bones, can be removed arthroscopically to reduce recurrence.
- Carpal Tunnel Release: For carpal tunnel syndrome unresponsive to nonsurgical treatments, arthroscopy can cut the ligament ceiling to relieve nerve pressure and alleviate symptoms.
- TFCC and Ligament Tears: Arthroscopy can repair torn ligaments or the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), which are often damaged by falls and cause pain or clicking during movement.
What to Expect After Wrist Arthroscopy
The wrist should be raised for the first 2 or 3 days following surgery, and the dressing should be kept as clean and dry as possible. Ice may assist in reducing edema. There are workouts that might help you keep your mobility and regain strength. Analgesic drugs will ease any pain, even if it is modest following surgery.
Over several days, you will be tired. The inside of your wrist will swell. Also, your skin may appear to have a different hue near the wounds. This is very normal and will subside after a few days. In the first few days following surgery, keep your arm elevated above your heart to reduce swelling and discomfort.
The type of surgery you have will determine when you may return to work or resume your normal routine. You’ll most likely require 6 weeks to heal. Recovery will take even longer if you have tissue repaired. It’s possible that you’ll have to limit your activities until your wrist strength and mobility return to normal. You might potentially be enrolled in a rehab program.
Wrist Arthroscopy Recovery Time
Wrist arthroscopy recovery time varies depending on the specific procedure and the patient’s overall health. Generally, patients can expect a recovery period of a few weeks to several months. Initially, there may be swelling and wrist pain, which typically subside within a few days.
Most patients can return to light activities within a week or two, but full recovery and return to strenuous activities or sports may take up to three to six months. Physical therapy is often recommended to regain strength and range of motion in the wrist.
What Are Potential Complications of Wrist Arthroscopy?
Whether during wrist arthroscopy or after, complications are uncommon. Infections, nerve damage, severe edema, bleeding, scarring, and tendon tears are all possibilities. Before your operation, your doctor will go over the risks of arthroscopy with you.
Contact SPORT Orthopedics + Physical Therapy for Wrist Arthroscopy Today
If you or someone you know suffers from pain or an injury to the wrist joint, contact SPORT Orthopedics + Physical Therapy right away. Our main goals are to get you back to your active lifestyle with as smooth a recovery as possible. The highly qualified orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists we pair with our patients have the knowledge and compassion to help you achieve pain relief. To schedule an appointment with us, please call 469-200-2832. You can also fill out our online intake form.
