Wrist Surgery
If you have a wrist fracture of a ganglion cyst or a torn ligament in your wrist or even wrist pain that you've had for months that just won't go away, then arthroscopic wrist surgery is for you. Wrist arthroscopy is used to smooth the bone surfaces and to remove all of the inflamed tissue.
Types of wrist problems that require surgery
• Chronic wrist pain
• Wrist fractures
• Ganglion cysts
• Ligament/TFCC tears
• Carpal tunnel
When the results of other testing techniques do not provide your surgeon with a clear diagnosis, arthroscopic exploratory surgery will be used to diagnose the cause of your long term wrist pain. Your surgeon will find all the places that are inflamed or have cartilage damage or any other problems that may occur after a wrist injury. In most cases, after the diagnosis is made, the problem will be fixed right there arthroscopically as well.
If you've broken your wrist, small fragments of your bone may have stayed within the joint. In order to set the pieces of bone, remove the fragments your surgeon will use arthroscopic surgery as well, stabilizing the bones with pins, wires or screws.
If you have a ganglion cyst that has grown from a stalk between two of the wrist bones you will need to have it removed. The surgeon will remove the stock during an arthroscopic procedure minimizing the chances of the cyst recurring.
If you fall and tear the ligaments in your hand, the fibrous bands of connective tissue that link or hinge bones, your surgeon can repair the tears with arthroscopic surgery.
Your wrist should be elevated for about two or three days after your surgery. You will need to keep your bandages dry and clean. You can ice to help with the swelling. And your surgeon or a physical therapist will provide you with a list of exercises that you should use to regain motion and rebuild your strength. Often pain is relatively mild after surgery, but you can use an analgesic medication to relieve any discomfort that you may be experiencing.
It is unusual to experience complications during or after arthroscopic wrist surgery, but if you do they include infection, nerve injuries, excessive swelling, bleeding, scarring, or tendon tearing. If you can find a surgeon who specializes in arthroscopic surgery of the hand, the possibility of complications will be greatly reduced.
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