title: Chronic wrist pain: indications for wrist arthroscopy.
abstract: Although arthroscopy represents a new and dynamic diagnostic technique for evaluating the wrist, specific indications for arthroscopic intervention in the wrist are not defined. To place this technique in perspective, we review our experience with 54 consecutive arthroscopies of the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints in 53 patients with chronic wrist pain. On the basis of this review, we believe arthroscopy is indicated for the diagnosis of wrist pain of longer than 3 months' duration. Defects of the triangular fibrocartilage and lesions of the articular cartilage, including loose bodies, are detectable and easily treated with wrist arthroscopy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Koman
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Poehling
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Toby
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kammire
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000473:pathology*