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 radiologica l examination. Arthroscopy of the wrist was done in 32 patients, who c ould not be diagnosed by clinical and radiological examination. During arthroscopy, lesions of the fibrocartilaginous disc and of the cartil age, 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 tom disc, local sy novectomy, reconstruction of the torn scaphoid-lunate ligament and rem oval of a loose body were done by open arthrotomy (8 patients). In 2 p atients shaving of chondral ulcers on the radial joint surface was per formed, which obviated the need for an explorative arthrotomy. Arthros copy is a simple method that enables new diagnostic possibilities in r are but difficult cases of posttraumatic pain of the wrist.