The value of wrist arthroscopy. An evaluation of 129 cases.

In order to evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic wrist arthroscopy we analyzed 129 arthroscopies with a follow-up of at least 6 months. Seventy-seven arthroscopies were performed for therapeutic purposes; 52 arthroscopies were diagnostic. There were diagnostic benefits in 55 arthroscopies (42.5%), therapeutic benefits in 29 arthroscopies (22.5%), combined diagnostic and therapeutic benefits in 39 (30%) and no benefits in six (5%). In 65 cases of the therapeutic group (with preoperative diagnosis) the authors found that the arthroscopy had been worthwhile. For the diagnostic group without a preoperative diagnosis, an arthroscopic diagnosis was made in 44 cases. Complications occurred in two patients: one tendon incision over a Kirschner wire in the therapeutic group and one superficial infection in the diagnostic group.