Anatomical and safety considerations in establishing portals used for wrist arthroscopy

Eight portals are used for wrist arthroscopy, five for the radiocarpal join t and three for the midcarpal space. These portals pass between important v essels and cutaneous nerves and the extensor tendons underlying the extenso r retinaculum and permit access to the common pathologies of the wrist join ts. The portals can be safely established making precise use of the externa l landmarks and are associated with little soft tissue damage and few compl ications when performed gently and through the dorsal side of the wrist. Cl in. Anat. 12:179-185, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.