Because the hands and wrists are used so much in our daily lives, they can be susceptible to a variety of injuries and conditions. These can cause a range of symptoms such as pain, weakness, and reduced function, which can make life more difficult. Often when people experience wrist problems, they don’t think they’re serious and the first thing they do is try home remedies. If painful issues persist, it would be prudent to consult with one of the orthopedic specialists at OCC – Advanced Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists in Denver, Parker, or Aurora, Colorado. With a minimally invasive procedure called wrist arthroscopy, they can both diagnose and treat any painful or disabling issues.
OVERVIEW
The wrist has become the third most common joint to undergo arthroplasty after the knee and shoulder. Wrist arthroplasty has been used more due to advancements in technology and surgical techniques. It has also become more prevalent as patients and orthopedic surgeons seek less invasive options for diagnosing and treating wrist injuries and conditions. Wrist arthroplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat problems inside the wrist joint. It involves the use of a small camera called an arthroscope, which is inserted through small incisions around the wrist joint. This allows the surgeon to visualize the structures within the joint on a monitor and perform various procedures as needed. Compared to traditional open surgery, wrist arthroscopy not only results in smaller incisions, but also less soft tissue damage, less pain, fewer complications, and faster recovery time.
ABOUT THE WRIST
The wrist joint, also referred to as the radiocarpal joint, is a condyloid joint. A condyloid joint is a modified ball-and-socket joint that allows for flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction movements. One of the most complicated joints in the body the wrist contains 8 small bones (carpals), the lower end of the forearm bones (distal radius and ulna), and many connecting ligaments. The carpals provide flexibility and support, allowing for twisting objects and intricate hand movements. The ligaments connect the carpal bones and help prevent excessive movement, ensuring proper alignment and preventing injury.
WHAT IS WRIST ARTHROSCOPY?
Minimally invasive wrist arthroscopy is used as both an advanced diagnostic tool and a state-of-the-art surgical technique. Overall, the arthroscope is a sophisticated tool. It features a small camera at one end which is connected to a fiber-optic light bundle providing illumination within the joint. This light source is crucial for clear visualization during the procedure. The camera lens captures high-quality images of the joint’s interior. The images are transmitted to a high-resolution monitor, enabling the surgeon to examine the joint in detail. During the procedure, the surgeon makes small incisions (known as portals) through the skin in strategic positions around the wrist joint. These incisions are very small – less than half an inch long. The arthroscope which is approximately the size of a pencil (or even thinner in some cases), is inserted through the incisions, along with specialized tools that allow the surgeon to perform repairs, remove damaged tissue, or carry out other necessary procedures based on the findings instead of requiring a separate surgery at a later date.
Read more about Wrist Arthroscopy on our new Orthopedic News Site – Colorado Orthopedic News. Schedule an appointment with a wrist specialist today.
