At a glance
Main symptoms
- Chronic wrist pain not fully diagnosed by MRI
- Suspected TFCC (triangular fibrocartilage complex) tear
- Wrist instability (sense of slipping)
- Hospital stay
- Most cases allow same-day discharge; 1 overnight observation may be advised after complex repairs.
- Recovery time
- 4–8 weeks
- Return to work
- Desk work in 1 week, light hand work in 2-4 weeks, heavy hand work or sports in 6-12 weeks.
Wrist arthroscopy is a modern surgical method performed by inserting a camera and micro instruments into the wrist joint through small portals. It is used for both diagnosis and treatment. Compared to open surgery, it causes much less soft tissue damage, shortens recovery, reduces pain, and offers superior cosmetic results. It is the gold standard for evaluating TFCC tears, cartilage injuries, ganglion cysts, synovitis, and chronic wrist pain.
Symptoms
Wrist arthroscopy is considered in:
- Chronic wrist pain not fully diagnosed by MRI
- Suspected TFCC (triangular fibrocartilage complex) tear
- Wrist instability (sense of slipping)
- Suspected cartilage damage
- Intra-articular ganglion cysts
- Reduction (repositioning) of some wrist fractures
Diagnostic Methods
Before wrist arthroscopy, detailed clinical examination, X-rays, and MRI are standard. However, since MRI provides about 70-80% diagnostic accuracy, arthroscopy is the most sensitive diagnostic method for cases with clinical suspicion despite negative MRI or discordant findings.
Treatment Approach
Non-Surgical Treatments
Since arthroscopy is a surgical method, conservative treatments are always tried first: activity modification, physical therapy, NSAIDs, splint use, intra-articular injections. If these approaches are insufficient over 3-6 months, arthroscopy is considered.
Surgical Treatment
In wrist arthroscopy, 2-3 portals of 4-5 mm are created on the dorsal wrist. One is for the camera (arthroscope), others for working instruments. Fluid is infused for visualization. Depending on findings, debridement (cleaning), TFCC repair, synovectomy (lining removal), cartilage repair, ganglion excision, or bone reshaping can be performed.
Surgical Process
Performed under regional (arm block) or general anesthesia. Duration is 30-45 minutes for diagnostic arthroscopy, 1-2 hours for complex repairs. A tourniquet is used for a bloodless field.
Hospital Stay
Most cases allow same-day discharge; 1 overnight observation may be advised after complex repairs.
Recovery Process
- First week: Splint, swelling control, finger movements free
- Weeks 1-2: Suture removal, gentle wrist movements
- Weeks 2-4: Active physical therapy, range of motion work
- Weeks 4-8: Strengthening, return to full function
- 3 months: Return to sports and heavy activities
Return to Work
Desk work in 1 week, light hand work in 2-4 weeks, heavy hand work or sports in 6-12 weeks. Varies based on repair type.
Potential Complications
Arthroscopy is a very safe technique with complication rate around 1-2%. Rare negative events: nerve injury at portal sites (usually temporary), intra-articular adhesion, infection, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
Frequently asked questions
Why arthroscopy instead of open surgery?
Arthroscopy is done through smaller incisions causing much less soft tissue damage, pain, and recovery time. Also, all joint structures are seen directly, maximizing diagnostic accuracy.
When should I have wrist arthroscopy?
If you have chronic wrist pain, conservative treatment has not helped for 3-6 months, and quality of life is affected, or if MRI shows a suspicious lesion, surgery is an option.
Will open surgery be needed afterward?
In the vast majority of cases, no. Rarely, conversion to open surgery is needed based on intraoperative findings. If this decision arises, it is discussed beforehand.
This content is for information only and does not replace examination, diagnosis or treatment. The right treatment for you is decided after an examination.