Living with persistent wrist pain that has no clear cause can be incredibly frustrating. When you’ve been told “let’s wait and see” but the pain and uncertainty linger, Wrist Arthroscopy provides a powerful, minimally invasive way to look directly inside your joint, find the source of the problem, and, in many cases, provide a definitive solution at the same time.
Living with persistent wrist pain that has no clear cause can be incredibly frustrating. When you’ve been told “let’s wait and see” but the pain and uncertainty linger, Wrist Arthroscopy provides a powerful, minimally invasive way to look directly inside your joint, find the source of the problem, and, in many cases, provide a definitive solution at the same time.
If you’re struggling with a wrist that clicks, catches, or simply hurts, and you haven’t been able to get a clear diagnosis, you are not alone. The wrist is one of the most complex joints in the body, and many problems can be difficult to identify with an X-ray or even an MRI alone. Wrist arthroscopy is the gold-standard, state-of-the-art technique for obtaining a diagnosis and providing a clear set of options for a path to recovery.
Wrist arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows a surgeon to see and work inside your wrist joint without making a large incision.
Using a tiny, high-definition camera called an arthroscope (about the width of a pen tip) inserted through a small “keyhole” incision, Dr. French can get a crystal-clear, magnified view of all the intricate structures inside your wrist. Through another small incision, he can insert specialized, slim instruments to probe, smooth, or repair damaged tissues. This technique serves two critical purposes:
Wrist arthroscopy is a powerful tool for a variety of conditions. It may be the right path forward for you if you suffer from:
One of the most frustrating aspects of chronic wrist pain is the uncertainty. In the public system, the wait for an MRI or an appointment with a specialist can take many months, or even years. During that time, your pain continues, your function is limited, and your anxiety grows. Left long enough, your condition can deteriorate, and treatment options become limited. By choosing private care, you are choosing to end the uncertainty. A private wrist arthroscopy provides the most direct and efficient path to a definitive diagnosis and, in turn, a concrete treatment plan that can get you back to your life sooner.
Wrist arthroscopy is a highly technical procedure that demands exceptional skill and experience. Dr. Rod French is not only a practitioner but also a teacher of these advanced techniques. He is an annual international guest Faculty instructor for the International Wrist Arthroscopy Society (IWAS) course in Strasbourg, France, where surgeons from around the world travel to learn the art of wrist arthroscopy. When you choose Dr. French, you are choosing a surgeon with a world-class reputation and an elite level of expertise in this specific procedure.
One of the greatest benefits of a minimally invasive procedure like wrist arthroscopy is the recovery. Compared to traditional open surgery, patients typically experience:
Recovery varies depending on what was done inside the joint, but most patients are in a splint for 1-2 weeks. A return to light activities can often begin within a few weeks, with a return to more demanding sports or labor taking 2-3 months.
The procedure itself is performed under anesthesia, so you will not feel anything. Post-operative pain is typically well-managed with medication and is usually less than the pain from a traditional open surgery.
A wide range of problems can be treated, including tearing of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), ligament tears, cartilage damage, removal of loose bodies, and chronic non-unions of the scaphoid bone. wrist arthroscopy?
Wrist arthroscopy is a very safe procedure. As with any surgery, risks are rare but can include infection, nerve or tendon irritation, stiffness, and complex regional pain syndrome. Dr. French will discuss all potential risks with you in detail during your consultation.
