Arthroscopic diagnosis of posttraumatic disorders of the wrist.

Arthroscopy of the wrist is a helpful diagnostic procedure in cases of painful problems that cannot be diagnosed by clinical and radiological examination. Arthroscopy of the wrist was done in 32 patients, who could not be diagnosed by clinical and radiological examination. During arthroscopy, lesions of the fibrocartilaginous disc and of the cartilage, synovitis of the joint capsule, scaphoid-lunate dissociations and a loose body were detected. As a result of arthroscopic findings, 10 operative procedures were necessary. Resection of a torn disc, local synovectomy, reconstruction of the torn scaphoid-lunate ligament and removal of a loose body were done by open arthrotomy (8 patients). In 2 patients shaving of chondral ulcers on the radial joint surface was performed, which obviated the need for an explorative arthrotomy. Arthroscopy is a simple method that enables new diagnostic possibilities in rare but difficult cases of posttraumatic pain of the wrist.