Wrist Arthroscopy at Mount Stuart Hospital in Torquay

Persistent wrist pain, swelling, or clicking can significantly affect your daily life and signal an underlying problem that imaging alone may not fully diagnose or treat. Most wrist conditions respond well to treatment, and wrist arthroscopy offers an effective, minimally invasive route to both diagnosis and relief.

Wrist arthroscopy is a type of minimally invasive surgery that can be performed to visualise problems inside your wrist and correct them. It can be an extremely effective approach for diagnosing and addressing your wrist pain and other symptoms. This kind of surgery has a high success rate and most patients recover quickly.

If you’re experiencing pain in your wrist or other symptoms, understanding your treatment options is an important first step. Here, we explain what wrist arthroscopy is, the wrist problems it can help with, and typical recovery times. We’ll also detail what you can expect from a private wrist arthroscopy procedure with Ramsay Health Care.

Book an appointment to talk to us about a private wrist arthroscopy

What is wrist arthroscopy?

Wrist arthroscopy is a type of minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery that’s performed to diagnose and treat problems inside the wrist joint. 

During the operation, small incisions are made around the wrist. A slender tube, holding a camera and a light (called an arthroscope), is then inserted. The arthroscope sends images to a video monitor that your surgeon uses to visualise inside your wrist, helping diagnose and treat issues.

As wrist arthroscopy allows your surgeon to see inside your wrist, it helps them to identify problems that may not be visible on scans, like an MRI or an X-ray. After diagnosing your wrist problem, your surgeon may also treat it during the same procedure, using slender keyhole surgical instruments.

Compared with traditional open wrist surgery, wrist arthroscopy offers a range of benefits, including:

• Smaller incisions, resulting in less scarring

• Less disruption to surrounding tissue

• Less post-surgery pain and swelling, for most patients 

• A lower risk of post-operative complications

• Faster recovery times 

Wrist arthroscopy is usually performed under general anaesthetic as a day-case procedure, meaning you can go home the day of the operation. It typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes to perform.

Wrist problems treated with arthroscopy

Wrist pain is one of the most common reasons people are referred for wrist arthroscopy. The procedure can be used to diagnose and treat a wide range of underlying conditions and injuries, including:

• Chronic wrist pain: Persistent wrist pain can be commonly caused by cartilage damage, inflammation, or loose fragments of tissue within the joint. An arthroscopic procedure can smooth damaged cartilage, remove excess joint lining, and extract loose tissue.

• Ligament tears and sprains: Wrist ligament injuries range from mild sprains to complete tears. Torn or damaged ligaments can cause pain, weakness, and joint instability — and in more serious cases, result in additional soft tissue damage. Arthroscopic surgery can assess the extent of the injury and repair damaged ligaments, helping to restore wrist stability and function.

• Wrist fractures: Some wrist fractures, particularly fractures involving the joint surface (such as distal radius fractures), can be treated arthroscopically. The procedure allows surgeons to assess the injury, realign fractured bone, stabilise the joint, and remove any loose pieces of bone.

• Ganglion cysts: Ganglion cysts are fluid-filled lumps that can often develop around the wrist joint. Arthroscopy can be used to remove both the cyst and its stalk, helping to reduce the risk of recurrence.

• Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears: The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is a structure that supports and cushions the wrist joint on the little finger side. Tears and/or inflammation of the TFCC are a common cause of wrist pain and instability. Arthroscopy is an effective way to repair or remove damaged tissue.

• Wrist joint infection: Wrist arthroscopy allows an infection to be located and treated by washing out the joint and removing infected tissue.

• Rheumatoid arthritis: Arthroscopy can help reduce pain and swelling by removing excess inflamed joint lining tissue (synovium).

Your Ramsay consultant orthopaedic surgeon will discuss your symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options with you during your consultation. They will confirm whether wrist arthroscopy is the right procedure for you.

What does wrist arthroscopy involve?

The specific details of your wrist arthroscopy operation may vary, depending on your wrist condition and your surgeon. Most wrist arthroscopies involve the following:

Before your wrist arthroscopy surgery

The first step will be a consultation with your Ramsay consultant orthopaedic surgeon. They’ll talk to you, assess your symptoms, ask about how they affect your life, and examine your wrist. Your consultant may also arrange for you to have one or more imaging scans to help better understand the underlying problem, such as an X-ray, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, or an ultrasound scan.

You’ll receive pre-operative instructions before you come to us for your surgery. This will explain when to stop eating and drinking, what clothes to wear, any medication you may need to stop taking, and what to expect on the day.

Most wrist arthroscopies are performed under general anaesthesia, although a regional anaesthetic nerve block may sometimes be used. Most are day procedures, meaning you’ll be able to go home on the same day as your operation.

During your wrist arthroscopy surgery

In the majority of cases, wrist arthroscopy surgery involves:

• Making two to four small incisions (cuts) around the wrist joint

• Pumping a sterile fluid into the joint to expand it and improve visibility

• Inserting the arthroscope through one of the incisions

Images from the camera will then be displayed on a monitor, allowing your surgeon to inspect the structures within your wrist and to diagnose your issue. 

If treatment is required, miniature surgical instruments are inserted through the incisions. They can be used to repair ligaments, remove damaged tissue, smooth cartilage, extract cysts, or treat other wrist problems. 

The procedure typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the condition being treated.

After your wrist arthroscopy surgery

Wrist arthroscopy is usually a day-case procedure, meaning most patients can return home the same day as the operation.

Following surgery, your wrist will be covered with a bandage, and the small incisions will be closed with stitches or sutures. Our team at Ramsay will explain how to care for your surgical wounds, including keeping them clean and dry.

It’s normal to experience bruising and swelling in your wrist, hand, and fingers for up to two to three weeks after your wrist arthroscopy. This discomfort will ease and pass with time, but your consultant may prescribe pain relief medication. You’ll also be advised on what other steps you can take to help, such as elevating your wrist and using ice.

You’ll usually also be referred for physiotherapy and given exercises to help restore wrist movement, strength, and function during your recovery.

Wrist arthroscopy recovery time

The speed at which patients recover after a wrist arthroscopy varies. This will depend on your condition, the details of your operation, your health and fitness, and how well you stick to your recovery plan and advice.

As wrist arthroscopy is a minimally invasive technique, recovery is often faster than with traditional open surgery. And although wrist arthroscopy recovery times will differ, most patients generally experience the following:

 The first day of your wrist arthroscopy recovery

The majority of patients can return home on the same day as their procedure.

You’ll likely have been given a general anaesthetic, which will mean you won’t be able to drive for 24 hours, so you’ll have to organise your transport home. It’s also recommended to arrange for someone to stay with you for those first 24 hours after your operation, as you may be unsteady as the effects of the anaesthetic wear off.

The first three weeks of your wrist arthroscopy recovery

You’ll initially focus on rest and recovery within the first few weeks after your surgery. You’ll be advised on how to position your wrist, how to elevate it and when to use ice or cold packs. Movement will also be important, and will help with your recovery, so you’ll be given advice on how to safely move your wrist.

Following your surgery, it’s normal to experience some degree of bruising, swelling, and pain around the wrist, hand, and fingers. The severity of your discomfort will largely depend on your specific wrist issue and the treatments performed during the procedure. These symptoms typically improve day by day and will often go or dramatically improve within two to three weeks. You may be prescribed pain medication to help manage your discomfort following your operation.

Most patients can resume light daily activities within around two weeks, although it’s important to follow your consultant's advice and avoid activities that may place excessive strain on the wrist during the early stages of healing.

Returning to work after your wrist arthroscopy recovery

How quickly you can go back to work will very much depend on what kind of job you have. Generally, most patients can:

• Return to desk-based work within two to four weeks

• Return to manual work or sport within six to 12 weeks

The first three months of your wrist arthroscopy recovery

While most patients experience a big reduction in pain and swelling during the first three weeks of their recovery, it can take three months or longer to fully recover. By this point, most patients will experience significant improvement in their wrist issues and a better quality of life.

If you play sports or engage in more strenuous activities, you may need to wait between six and 12 weeks before you can do so again. Your Ramsay consultant will advise on when it’s safe to gradually increase your activity levels.

Physiotherapy will be an important part of your recovery and will help you regain movement, strength, and function. You’ll be given a personalised rehabilitation programme at Ramsay to support your recovery and help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Risks and complications of wrist arthroscopy

As a type of minimally invasive surgery, wrist arthroscopy is considered a very safe operation and serious complications are rare. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are some risks that patients should be aware of before undergoing treatment.

General surgical risks include:

• Infection of the wound or joint

• Bleeding

• Scarring

• Blood clots (although these are uncommon following wrist surgery)

There are also some risks specific to wrist arthroscopy, including:

• Nerve injury, which may cause temporary or permanent numbness, tingling, or weakness in the wrist, hand, or fingers

• Tendon damage

• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) – a rare but serious condition that can cause persistent pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced function in the affected joint

• Compartment syndrome – a rare condition caused by increased pressure within the tissues of the arm or hand that can reduce blood flow and cause tissue damage

Your Ramsay consultant will discuss the potential risks and benefits of wrist arthroscopy during your consultation and will explain any factors that may affect your individual risk profile.

Alternatives to wrist arthroscopy

Wrist pain is one of the most common reasons people seek treatment, but wrist arthroscopy isn't always the first option. Depending on your wrist problem, symptoms, lifestyle, and overall health, more conservative treatments may be recommended first. These include:

• Physiotherapy to improve wrist strength, flexibility, and function

• Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, to reduce pain and swelling

• Activity modification and wrist supports to allow injured tissues to heal

• Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and provide temporary symptom relief

For ganglion cysts, aspiration may be an alternative treatment option. This involves draining the fluid from the cyst using a needle. However, aspiration doesn't remove the cyst wall, meaning it may return over time.

If conservative measures don't prove effective enough and wrist surgery is required, your Ramsay consultant orthopaedic surgeon will discuss whether wrist arthroscopy is the most appropriate option for you or if another procedure may be more suitable.

The best treatment approach will depend on your symptoms, examination findings, and imaging results. Your consultant will explain all available options and help you make an informed decision about your care.

Wrist arthroscopy cost

The cost of a private wrist arthroscopy at Ramsay Health Care varies depending on your personal circumstances. After your initial consultation, we will provide a personalised quote valid for up to 60 days.

We offer a range of payment options to help you access the care you need:

• 0% Payment Plans: Spread the cost of your wrist surgery with monthly payments over a time period that suits you.

• Self-fund treatment: Our all-inclusive Total Care package covers all your treatment for a single up-front payment agreed in advance.

• Private medical insurance: Your private healthcare insurer may cover your wrist arthroscopy with us. We recommend obtaining written confirmation from your insurance provider before booking your appointment.

For a personalised quote or to discuss payment options in more detail, please contact our friendly team.

Wrist arthroscopy at Ramsay Health Care

At Ramsay Health Care, our specialist orthopaedic surgeons provide expert, patient-focused care across multiple locations in the UK. Whether you need a diagnostic wrist arthroscopy or surgical treatment for a specific wrist condition, we will ensure your care is tailored to your individual needs and circumstances.

Our hand and wrist surgeons work alongside on-site physiotherapists and orthopaedic consultants, ensuring a joined-up approach to your care from your first appointment through to full recovery.

Your Ramsay experience includes:

• Convenient locations across the UK, many with on-site parking. Find your nearest hospital.

• State-of-the-art facilities with access to the latest diagnostic and surgical technology, including on-site MRI, X-ray, and ultrasound.

• Comprehensive care and follow-up to monitor your recovery and ensure the best possible outcome for your wrist function. 

• Dedicated patient support with a friendly specialist team guiding you at every stage of your treatment.

Contact us today to speak with one of our friendly advisors and book your consultation.

Wrist arthroscopy FAQs