Arthroscopy of the wrist

An arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) is performed to diagnose and treat problems in your wrist joint. It involves examining the inside of the joint using a telescope inserted through small cuts on your skin.

The aim is to confirm exactly what the problem is and for many people the problem can be treated at the same time.

Problems inside a joint can often be diagnosed using tests such as CT scans and MRI scans. However, they do not show early damage to the surface of joints, damage to small ligaments or how bad any damage is, and you may then need an arthroscopy to treat the problem.

Your symptoms may get worse. Some problems settle on their own or if you change your activities.

If you smoke, stopping smoking now may reduce your risk of developing complications and will improve your long-term health.

Try to maintain a healthy weight. You have a higher risk of developing complications if you are overweight.

Regular exercise should help to prepare you for the operation, help you to recover and improve your long-term health. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Speak to the healthcare team about any vaccinations you might need to reduce your risk of serious illness while you recover. When you come into hospital, practise hand washing and wear a face covering when asked.

The healthcare team will try to reduce the risk of complications.

Any numbers which relate to risk are from studies of people who have had this operation. Your doctor may be able to tell you if the risk of a complication is higher or lower for you. Some risks are higher if you are older, obese, you are a smoker or have other health problems. These health problems include diabetes, heart disease or lung disease.

Some complications can be serious and may even cause death.

General complications of any operation

• Bleeding during or after the operation.
• Infection of the surgical site (wound).
• Allergic reaction to the equipment, materials or medication.
• Chest infection. Your risk will be lower if you have stopped smoking and you are free of COVID-19 (coronavirus) symptoms for at least 7 weeks before the operation.

Specific complications of this operation

• Bleeding into the joint.
• Infection in your wrist joint.
• Severe pain, stiffness and loss of use of your arm and hand. Your arm and hand can take months or years to improve. Sometimes there is permanent pain and stiffness.
• Damage to nerves around the joint, leading to weakness, numbness or pain.
• Damage to tendons. You will need another operation to repair the tendon or redirect another tendon so you can move your thumb.

Consequences of this procedure

• Pain.
• Unsightly scarring of your skin.

You should be able to go home the same day.

The physiotherapist may give you exercises and advice to help you to recover from the operation.

It can take a few weeks to get back to normal activities.

Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Most people have a major improvement but it takes time for pain to lessen and movement to increase. Symptoms often come back with time.

An arthroscopy of your wrist allows your surgeon to diagnose and treat problems affecting the joint, without the need for a large cut on your skin. This may reduce the amount of pain you feel and speed up your recovery.