Pitfalls in wrist arthroscopy.

Arthroscopy of the wrist is a well-established procedure; however complications, problems and difficulties are possible. The complication rate is estimated to be about 2%, of which equipment failure is probably the most frequent. Injury of the overlying tendons, nerves and even the radial artery has also been described. The anatomy of certain wrists can cause considerable difficulties in obtaining a clear view. The major problem however is the correlation between the clinical and radiographic findings, and the arthroscopic findings. There are some abnormalities which do not have any significance since most of them can be considered as normal ageing phenomena.