Day Surgery

Wrist Arthroscopy

Wrist arthroscopy (keyhole wrist surgery) in Townsville with Dr Jonathon de Hoog, Aspire Orthopaedics. Diagnosis and treatment of wrist pain.

Performed at: Townsville Day Surgery Mater Hospital Pimlico

What is wrist arthroscopy?

Wrist arthroscopy is keyhole surgery of the wrist. A small camera (arthroscope) is introduced through a 5mm portal on the back of the wrist, allowing direct visualisation of the joint surfaces, cartilage, and ligaments. Surgical instruments can be introduced through additional small portals to treat what is found.

Wrist arthroscopy serves both as a diagnostic tool and as a treatment technique - allowing many wrist conditions to be addressed through small portals rather than a formal open incision.

What is wrist arthroscopy used for?

Diagnosis:

  • Confirming and staging wrist ligament injuries (particularly scapholunate ligament tears) when MRI is inconclusive
  • Assessing TFCC (triangular fibrocartilage complex) tears
  • Investigating unexplained wrist pain that hasn’t settled with conservative management

Treatment:

  • TFCC debridement or repair - trimming degenerative tears or repairing acute peripheral tears
  • Scapholunate ligament assessment and treatment - direct repair or preparation for reconstruction
  • Removal of loose bodies - fragments of bone or cartilage causing clicking or locking
  • Synovectomy - removal of inflamed joint lining in inflammatory arthritis
  • Fracture assistance - confirming joint surface reduction during fixation of complex intra-articular fractures
  • Dorsal wrist ganglion excision - arthroscopic excision of ganglia arising from within the joint

The procedure

Wrist arthroscopy is performed under regional anaesthetic with light sedation:

  • The wrist is suspended using traction, which gently opens the joint spaces
  • Two or three small portals are made on the back of the wrist, between the tendons
  • The arthroscope is introduced to view the joint; instruments through separate portals allow treatment
  • Takes approximately 30-60 minutes depending on what is found and treated
  • Performed at Townsville Day Surgery or Mater Hospital Pimlico
  • Day procedure for most patients

Recovery

Recovery depends on what was treated:

  • Diagnostic arthroscopy or TFCC debridement - light bandage for 1-2 weeks; active wrist movement early; return to desk work within a week or two; full recovery typically within 4-8 weeks
  • TFCC repair - splint for 4-6 weeks to protect the repair; full recovery 3-6 months
  • Scapholunate ligament repair or reconstruction - splint for 6-8 weeks; return to manual work and sport at 6-12 months
  • Loose body removal or synovectomy - relatively quick recovery, wrist movement restored within a few weeks

Hand therapy is important after wrist arthroscopy and is available through NQ Hand Care Clinic at the same North Ward location.

Risks

Wrist arthroscopy is generally well-tolerated, but risks include:

  • Stiffness - some temporary stiffness is common; usually improves with therapy
  • Portal tenderness and scar sensitivity - typically temporary
  • Incomplete symptom resolution - particularly for complex or chronic injuries where the underlying joint has degenerative change
  • Injury to nearby structures - small nerves run close to standard portals; sensory changes are usually temporary
  • Infection - rare

Recovery timeline

What to expect at each stage of your recovery.

  1. Surgery

    Day of

    Regional nerve block with light sedation. 30-60 minutes depending on what's treated. Home the same day.

  2. Wound check

    10-14 days

    Portal wounds checked, stitches removed. Splint or bandage reviewed.

  3. Return to movement

    Weeks 2-6

    Active wrist movement and hand therapy. Rate of progress depends on what was treated.

  4. Full recovery

    6 weeks to 6 months

    Diagnostic procedures or simple debridements recover quickly. Ligament repairs take considerably longer.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions about this procedure.

What is wrist arthroscopy?

Wrist arthroscopy is keyhole surgery of the wrist joint. A small camera is inserted through a 5mm portal on the back of the wrist, allowing direct visualisation of the joint surfaces, cartilage, and ligaments. Instruments can be inserted through additional small portals to treat what is found, without needing to open the wrist.

Why is arthroscopy used instead of MRI to diagnose wrist problems?

MRI is good at detecting significant structural injuries, but wrist arthroscopy remains the gold standard for definitive diagnosis. Arthroscopy allows direct visualisation of the wrist - the appearance, tension, and integrity of ligaments and cartilage structures cannot be fully assessed on MRI. Many partial tears or early injuries that appear equivocal on MRI can be definitively staged under arthroscopy. Crucially, if a problem is found, it can often be treated at the same time.

Is wrist arthroscopy a major operation?

No. Wrist arthroscopy is typically a day procedure performed under regional anaesthetic with light sedation. The portals are around 5mm long. For diagnostic procedures or simple treatments such as TFCC debridement, recovery is relatively quick. More complex procedures such as ligament repairs involve a longer recovery.

Will I need a cast or splint after wrist arthroscopy?

This depends on what is treated. Diagnostic arthroscopy or TFCC debridement typically requires only a light bandage for a week or two. Ligament repairs or more complex procedures require a period of splinting to protect the repair.

Do I need a GP referral?

Yes. A GP referral is required and is valid for 12 months.

Speak with Dr de Hoog

A GP referral is required to see Dr de Hoog. Ask your GP to refer you to Aspire Orthopaedics, or contact the rooms directly for guidance.

Get a referral Email the clinic