Wrist Pain and Investigation - Wrist Arthroscopy
If X-ray and MRI scans do not help to diagnose the case of wrist pain, then wrist arthroscopy can be invaluable in reading a diagnosis. Curative treatment can also be carried out.
A very small telescope arthroscope will be inserted into the wrist, whilst you are asleep under a general anaesthetic. The telescope is so small that the little wounds we use to enter the joint are not routinely stitched.
There will be a minimum of 2, but as many as 4 or 5 little wounds depending on how much of the wrist joint needs to be investigated.
If any curative treatment is carried out through the arthroscope, that will be done through the same small wounds. At the end of the procedure, the joint will be filled with local anaesthetic which makes the wounds comfortable, although your wrist will ache after the local anaesthetic wears off.
After the Operation
The wrist will be protected with a large bandage which you need to keep on to support the wrist for 10 days until you are seen in the clinic. The bandage is there to support your wrist, but your fingers will be quite free. You will be given tablets to reduce inflammation and pain.
The hand and wrist has a very good nerve supply, and wounds in the wrist and hand often feel worse than you would expect for the size of the wound (which is why even a paper cut can be very painful). It is not unusual to get aching from the wrist after surgery for 6 – 12 weeks even though there is not much from the outside to show for what may have gone on, inside the joint.
You should be able to get back to office type work by 2 weeks from the date of the operation but if you do heavy manual work, you may need to be off for 4 or 5 weeks after the operation.
Risks of Surgery
- Wrist pain – usually the wrist is just uncomfortable for 2 – 4 weeks after surgery. Depending on the cause of your condition and what has been done through the “telescope” the wrist may ache for 6 weeks after surgery. You will be seen regularly in the clinic and will be given an explanation as to why the wrist may ache which usually depends upon the problems found in the wrist during surgery.
- After any cut, it is possible to get infection – about 1-2% of all operations.
- Circulation disturbance (sympathetic dystrophy or regional pain syndrome) can occur in approx 1% of all operations. Prompt treatment with medication or injection is usually very effective. You will be reviewed regularly after surgery so this or any other complication, is treated promptly.
Green – Textbook of Hand Surgery
Bulstrode – Textbook of Orthopaedic Surgery
Internet sites:
www.mayoclinic.com www.orthogate.com