Wrist Arthroscopy Specialist

Central Jersey Hand Surgery

Hand and Upper Extremity Surgeons located in Eatontown, Freehold, & Toms River, NJ

If you have an orthopedic problem in your wrist or hand, your doctor may suggest wrist arthroscopy to confirm your diagnosis. The team of board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Central Jersey Hand Surgery in Eatontown, and Toms River, New Jersey, offers minimally invasive outpatient wrist arthroscopy procedures. If you’re looking for an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hand and wrist procedures, call Central Jersey Hand Surgery or schedule a consultation online today.

Wrist Arthroscopy Q & A

What is a wrist arthroscopy?

An arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows your surgeon to examine the inside of your wrist and other joints. They use an arthroscope — a narrow tube with a camera and light on its tip — to look at the inside of your wrist. Wrist arthroscopy provides more detailed information than an MRI or CT scan.

Depending on the condition of your wrist, your surgeon can perform minor repairs during wrist arthroscopy.

Why would I need a wrist arthroscopy?

The team of orthopedic surgeons at Central Jersey Hand Surgery use wrist arthroscopy to diagnose a variety of structural problems in your wrist, including:

Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries
Scapholunate ligament injuries
Lunotriquetral ligament injuries

They also use wrist arthroscopy to treat distal radius fractures and remove debris and loose tissue from your wrist.

What happens during a wrist arthroscopy?

Your surgeon provides a sedative and a local anesthetic to prepare you for your wrist arthroscopy. Then, they make a small poke hole in your wrist and insert the arthroscope. The device sends a video from inside your wrist to a monitor in the treatment room, allowing your doctor to examine the structures of your wrist in magnified detail.

If necessary, your surgeon makes additional small incisions in your wrist to insert other surgical instruments to repair your wrist or remove loose tissue or cysts that cause your pain. Your surgeon may also set bones to repair a fracture or remove ganglion cysts during a wrist arthroscopy.

What should I expect after a wrist arthroscopy?

When your procedure is complete, your surgeon removes the arthroscope and other surgical instruments and closes your incisions with sutures. They apply a bandage and a soft splint to protect your wrist while you recover.

You spend some time in recovery while your sedation wears off. After your surgeon gives you personalized aftercare instructions, a friend or family member can drive you home.

You will need to take a day or two off to rest and allow your wrist to heal. Ice packs and over-the-counter pain relievers should reduce any discomfort or swelling. Your surgeon also gives you wrist and hand exercises that keep your wrist flexible and supple while you recover.

If you’re looking for board-certified orthopedic hand and wrist specialists, call Central Jersey Hand Surgery or make an appointment online today.