Recent advances in wrist arthroscopy: A literature review

Wrist arthroscopy is a common procedure done by hand surgeons which have undergone many modifications and improvements since it was first described. The advent of new portals (both dorsal and volar) means that the wrist joint can be viewed from virtually any perspective (“box concept”). Indications for wrist arthroscopy include diagnostic and reparative procedures and, more recently, reconstructive, soft-tissue, and bony procedures.

With an expanding list of indications and procedures that can be performed with this technique, it with an essential diagnostic and therapeutic tool for orthopedic hand surgeons.

Arthroscopic assessment of traumatic conditions such as distal radius fractures, scaphoid fractures, and their associated non-unions, soft tissue, and chondral injuries are thought to be superior to fluoroscopy. Management of non-traumatic conditions such as triangular fibrocartilage complex injury (TFCC), instability, excision of ganglions, kienbocks disease are also possible. Complications of wrist arthroscopy are relatively uncommon.