The role of arthroscopy in wrist arthritis.

Recent advances in arthroscopic surgery techniques and instrumentation have enabled the surgeon to improve the treatment of wrist pathology. The arthroscopist can now perform a proximal row carpectomy or radial styloidectomy with minimal dissection and potentially less morbidity. The surgery requires a high level of skill from the surgeon. This is an area of medicine that is still evolving. Long-term studies are lacking but short-term results are promising. In the near future, the role of arthroscopy will better be defined as more research becomes available.