THE ROLE OF ARTHROSCOPY IN THE INVESTIGATION OF WRIST DISORDERS

The findings at arthroscopy of the wrist in 48 consecutive cases carri ed out over a 3.5 year period have been retrospectively reviewed. In c orrelating the clinical and arthroscopic findings in the 36 patients w ith wrist instability and triangular fibrocartilage injuries we found concurrence in 28 of the cases. In the six patients in whom we were un able to make any provisional clinical diagnosis we did not find arthro scopy helpful. Arthroscopy usefully influenced the management in two o f the six patients in whom the articular surface was assessed. We feel that a careful clinical examination of the wrist is the mainstay of d iagnosis in wrist disorders. Arthroscopy remains useful in selected ca ses but has a limited specialized role which should continue to be pro vided from specialist centres.