Arthroscopy of the Wrist Treatment

What is Arthroscopy of the Wrist?

Arthroscopy is a surgical process used for diagnosing and treating problems inside a joint. Arthroscopy uses a small fiber-optic instrument called an arthroscope that helps the surgeon to view inside the joint without making any large cuts into the muscle and tissue. The wrist is a complex joint consisting of eight small bones and many other ligaments which connects them. Arthroscopic surgery can be used for diagnosing and treating a number of conditions of the wrist, including wrist fractures, ganglion cysts, chronic wrist pain, and ligament tears.

Wrist Arthroscopy and Debridement

Wrist arthroscopy and debridement is a surgical process by which intra-articular problems of the wrist are treated. The concept of debridement is to excise the necrotic tissue, debris, or other pathological structures so as to generate pain relief, restore movement, and promote tissue repair.

Wrist Arthroscopy TFCC repair

The Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) is a part of the wrist which acts as a shock absorber of the joint between the ulnar bone and the carpal bones. It also serves as a kind of shock absorber on the wrist. TFC injury results in pain, instability and decreased wrist function and people with TFCC injury present complaints of pain in wrist joint.

Arthroscopy of Hand

Arthroscopy of the hand is a surgical process that involves using a small camera and light inserted within the joint in order to view the tissues and bones in order to diagnose or possibly carry out surgery. It entails the use of a small video camera called arthroscopy together with different instruments in surgery through small involvements.

Arthroscopic Surgical Treatment

Arthroscopic surgery can be used for treating a number of conditions of the wrist.

• Chronic wrist pain: Arthroscopic exploratory surgery can be used for diagnosing the cause of chronic wrist pain when the results of other tests do not provide a clear diagnosis. Usually, there may be areas of cartilage damage, inflammation, or other findings after a wrist injury. In some of the cases, after the diagnosis is being made, the condition can be treated with arthroscopically as well.
• Wrist fractures: Small fragments of bone may stay inside the joint after a bone is being broken. Wrist arthroscopy can help in the removal these fragments, alignment of the broken pieces of bone, and thus stabilizing them by using pins, screws, or wires.
• Ganglion cysts: Ganglion cysts often grow from a stalk in between two of the wrist bones. During an arthroscopic procedure, the surgeon can remove the stalk, which may help in reducing the change that these cysts will return.
• Ligament/TFCC tears: Ligaments are fibrous bands of connective tissue that joins or hinge bones. These ligaments provide stability and support to the joints. The TFCC is a protecting structure inside the wrist. A fall on an outstretched hand can lead to tearing of ligaments, the TFCC, or both. This result in a pain with movement or a clicking sensation. During the arthroscopic procedure, the surgeon can repair these ligament tears.
• Carpal tunnel release: Carpal tunnel syndrome is distinguished by the numbness or tingling in the hand, and sometimes with the pain in the arm. It is caused as a result of the pressure on a nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel. Pressure can be build up within the tunnel for many reasons, which includes irritation and swelling of the tissue that covers the tendons. If the carpal tunnel syndrome does not respond to any nonsurgical treatment, one of the options is to repair the area surgically. The surgeon would cut the ligament roof and elongate the tunnel; this would help in reducing the pressure on the nerve and relieve symptoms. This can sometimes be performed with the help of an arthroscope.

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What are the risks involved?

Risks for anesthesia and surgery in general are:

• Allergic reactions to the medications
• Breathing problems to the patients
• Bleeding, infection, or blood clot

Risks for wrist arthroscopy are:

• Failure of surgery for relieving symptoms
• Failure of repair to heal
• The weakness of the wrist
• Injury to a blood vessel, nerve, or tendon

Before the Procedure

Before the surgery:

• The patients must tell the surgeon what medicines they are taking. This includes medicines, supplements, or herbs the patients have bought without any prescription.
• The patients may be asked to temporarily stop taking blood thinners. These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), aspirin, and other medications.
• The patients must ask their health care provider which medicines they should still take on the day of their surgery.
• If the patients have diabetes, heart disease, or any other medical problems, the surgeon will ask the patients to see their doctor who treats them for these problems.
• The patients must tell their provider if they have been drinking a lot of alcohol, more than 1 or 2 drinks a day.
• If the patients smoke, they must stop it. The patients must ask the provider or nurse for help if needed. Smoking can slow down the wound and bone healing.
• The patients must tell their surgeon about any cold, flu, herpes breakout, fever, or other illness. If the patients do get sick, the surgery may be required to be postponed.

Procedure for Arthroscopy of the Wrist:

• The surgical procedure is done to perform a wrist arthroscopy that can either be performed under general or regional anaesthesia. 
• After adequate anaesthesia, the surgeon will create 'portals' for gaining access to the patient’s wrist joint. 
• The portals are placed in specific locations for minimizing the potential for injury to blood vessels, and tendons and the surrounding nerves. 
• Through one portal, a camera is being placed into the joint, and through others, small instruments can be used for addressing the problem. 
• The length of the wrist arthroscopy procedure varies depending on what the doctor needs to achieve. 
• After this surgical procedure, a splint or a soft bandage will be placed. 
• Most of the patients will work with a physical therapist to regain the motion and strength of their joint. 
• The length of rehabilitation will also alter depending on what is being performed at the time of surgery. 
• Complications of wrist arthroscopy are very rare, but they can occur. 
• These complications may include tendon injury, infection, nerve injury, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. 
• Some complications may have a higher risk when compared to the other traditional open surgery, while arthroscopy may reduce the chance of other complications. 
• The patients must discuss with their surgeon the risks of any specific procedure the patients are considering having performed on their wrist.

How soon will I recover?

• After the surgery, the patients will be placed in a bandage that may stop the wrist motion. 
• This bandage will protect the area and thus provide relief to the pain. 
• Arthroscopy generally does not need an overnight hospital stay. 
• Fingers should move freely, and finger movement is generally encouraged for restricting swelling, and stiffness. 
• The surgeon will provide instructions on how to take care of the wound, therapy, safe activities, and any work or exercise restrictions. 
• Elevating the wrist is vital for preventing swelling and pain after the surgery

Disadvantages of Arthroscopic Surgical Treatment:

• Not every cause of wrist pain can be treated with the help of an arthroscopic procedure. Additionally, some of these procedures are uncommon and should only be done by the surgeon who regularly performs the wrist arthroscopy.

Best Hospitals for Arthroscopy of Wrist

• Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
• Medanta The Medicity, Gurgaon
• Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
• Max Hospital, Saket
• BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi

Best Doctors for Arthroscopy of Wrist

• Dr. I P S Oberoi
• Dr. Sumit Kumar
• Dr. Subhash Jangid
• Dr. Vikas Gupta
• Dr. Deepak Chaudhary

Why Choose GetWellGo for Arthroscopy of Wrist?

Selecting GetWellGo for the process of arthroscopy of the wrist is rather beneficial because of patient focus and high quality services provided here.

Here are some key reasons to consider:

• Expert Team of Surgeons
• State-of-the-Art Technology
• Comprehensive Patient Care
• Assistance with Travel, Accommodation and Visa Arrangements
• Multilingual Support
• Focus on Recovery and Rehabilitation
• Cost-Effectiveness

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FAQ

1. What are the advantages of wrist arthroscopy?

• Minimally invasive: Less invasive than open surgery: this means that there are smaller cuts in the patient’s body.
• Reduced pain and scarring: Better healing is obvious when less tissue damage occurs.
• Accurate diagnosis: Real-time visualization of the joint can also be illustrated.
• Faster recovery: Less incidence of surgery time as compared to conventional surgery.
• Versatility: Popular for treatment of ligament injuries, cartilage damage & ganglion cyst Also effective in knee injury treatment.

2. In how many cases wrist arthroscopy yields positive results?

• Wrist arthroscopy is a very successful procedure with a success rate from 85% to 95% depending on the problem being treated and patient’s follow-up on rehabilitation. Patients are usually relieved of their pain and note improved function of the wrist joint.

3. How long does it take for the procedure to be completed?

• The operation normally takes between thirty minutes to one hour depending on the condition of the patients.

4. How soon can one get back to their routine after wrist arthroscopy surgery?

• Initial recovery: Many clients are able to need minimal restriction after the procedure as they are encouraged to get up soon after the operation and most patients can take light activities for 1-2 weeks.
• Full recovery: May range from six weeks to twelve weeks depending on the condition and the extent of surgery done.
• Physical therapy: Possibly prescribed to firm up muscles and tendons or after an injury and surgery.